Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical instrument at a desired biological target tissue site is provided. The system includes an elongated sheath having a deflectable distal end configured to deflect or otherwise position at least a portion of a medical instrument during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to a predetermined target tissue surface. The positioning system may be incorporated into the medical instrument. The medical instrument may be an ablation system.

Abstract: A fluid management pump system (30) for supplying sterile solution to a surgical site. The system includes an inflow tube (42) for supplying sterile solution to the surgical site. The solution is forced through the inflow tube by a pump (40). Fluid is drained from the surgical site in order to maintain the pressure at the site through an outflow tube (44). Both the inflow and outflow tubes are attached to a cassette (52). The cassette is mounted to a control unit (50). Internal to the cassette are pinch valves (54, 56) for controlling fluid flow through, respectively, the inflow and outflow tubes. The open/closed states of the inflow and outflow tubes are controlled by solenoids (58, 60) internal to the control unit that act on the pinch valves. The control unit actuates the solenoids and supplies the energization current to the pump based on operator entered commands and indication that the pressure at the surgical site.