DEVICE FOR PROVIDING THORACOSCOPIC INTRACARDIAC ACCESS

摘要

Devices and methods are provided for providing endoscopic access into an interior of a hollow organ. The method and devices secure a distal end of an access device to seal and secure the distal end to a wall of the hollow organ and secure a proximal end to a skin of the patient. Alternatively, the distal end of the access device is sealed to the wall of the heart and a column of blood from the heart is maintained in at least a portion of the access device to reduce the possibility of introducing an embolism into the heart. In another alternative, the distal end of the access device is disposed on a wall of the hollow organ and vacuum-sealed thereto with a suction cup disposed at the distal end of the access device to secure and seal the distal end to the wall of the hollow organ.