Radiofrequency fusion of cardiac tissue
First Claim
1. A method for sealing at least one lesion in at least one heart valve leaflet within the chest of a patient comprising the steps of:
- providing a forceps having at least one shaft and an end effector assembly attached thereto, the end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members configured to move from an open, spread position to a closed, grasping position;
creating at least one opening in the patient for inserting the forceps therein;
inserting the forceps through the at least one opening;
manipulating the jaw members of the forceps through the at least one opening to grasp a first portion of a lesion of a heart valve leaflet and a second portion of the lesion of the heart valve leaflet therebetween;
activating the forceps to close the jaw members about the lesion portions under a working pressure sufficient to seal the first portion of the lesion to the second portion of the lesion when radiofrequency energy is applied to the jaw members; and
applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the first portion of the lesion to the second portion of the lesion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for cardiac surgical intervention relies on sealing or fusing heart valve leaflets without requiring implanted materials such as sutures or staples. The method provides a forceps having at least one shaft and an end effector assembly attached thereto. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to move from an open, spread position to a closed, grasping position; creating at least one opening in the patient for inserting the forceps therein; inserting through the opening and manipulating jaw members of the forceps to grasp a portion of a first heart valve leaflet and a portion of a second heart valve leaflet therebetween; activating the forceps to close the jaw members about the leaflet portions under a working pressure, applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the portion of the first heart valve leaflet to the portion of the second heart valve leaflet.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for sealing at least one lesion in at least one heart valve leaflet within the chest of a patient comprising the steps of:
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providing a forceps having at least one shaft and an end effector assembly attached thereto, the end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members configured to move from an open, spread position to a closed, grasping position; creating at least one opening in the patient for inserting the forceps therein; inserting the forceps through the at least one opening; manipulating the jaw members of the forceps through the at least one opening to grasp a first portion of a lesion of a heart valve leaflet and a second portion of the lesion of the heart valve leaflet therebetween; activating the forceps to close the jaw members about the lesion portions under a working pressure sufficient to seal the first portion of the lesion to the second portion of the lesion when radiofrequency energy is applied to the jaw members; and applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the first portion of the lesion to the second portion of the lesion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of treating mitral valve regurgitation by fusing cardiac mitral valve leaflets within the chest of a patient comprising the steps of:
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creating an opening in the patient for inserting a radiofrequency device into the heart of the patient; inserting the radiofrequency device within the opening; engaging a first portion of a mitral valve leaflet and a second portion of the mitral valve leaflet between a pair of jaw members of the radiofrequency device; closing the jaw members under a working pressure; and applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the first portion and the second portion of the mitral valve leaflet. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification