TRANSMURAL ABLATION TOOL AND METHOD

摘要

An ablation method and device contacts one surface of a target layer and positions the tissue to ablate entirely through the layer. A tool of the present invention has a handle (20) at a proximal end, a bipolar ablation head (40), and an elongated body (30) interconnecting the handle (20) and the ablation head (40). A channel (44) or contoured surface fixes and bends the tissue such that inter-electrode conduction paths span the thickness layer of the tissue. The oriented transmural energy conduction paths reduce the possibility of inducing coagulation of blood in the heart chamber. Preferably the ablation head (40) forms a suction holder, connected through internal passages (48) to a vacuum pressure of about 100-500 mmHg, and immobilizes the contacted tissue.