ENDOSCOPE INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLOSED CHEST EPICARDIAL ABLATION

摘要

Endoscopic surgical instruments, lens elements and methods of treating or ablating tissue such as epicardial surfaces of cardiac tissue. An endoscopic surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft, a lens attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a coupling element extending from or attached to the lens. The distal end of the lens can protrude through the coupling element so that an ablation element, such as a flexible microwave ablation element, held by the coupling element is in the line of sight of the lens. Embodiments can be used to selectively ablate epicardial surfaces to treat atrial fibrillation and form more complete lesions around pulmonary veins without severing or penetrating a pericardial reflection near the superior vena cava.