Atricure, Inc.

Ncontact Surgical, Inc.

Earl Wayne Rogers

James G Whayne

Sidney D Fleischman

Andy C Kiser

Rebecca Neubert

Rebecca Schlieman

Andrew C Kiser

Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Vacuum coagulation probes

Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs. More specifically, devices and methods described herein are for minimally invasive surgery permit improved diaphragmatic access to a body cavity to perform a surgical procedure, for example ablation and/or coagulation of cardiac tissue during minimally invasive surgical access to the heart. The diaphragmatic access described provides direct visualization of anatomic structures within the thoracic cavity such as the posterior left atrium, the posterior side of pulmonary veins, or any other such anatomic structure.

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Rougemont, NC, United States of America

Earl Wayne Rogers