US 12,329,446 B2
Stabilized ablation systems and methods
Tamer Ibrahim, Danville, CA (US); Dwight P. Morejohn, Davis, CA (US); Michael J. Banchieri, Discovery Bay, CA (US); Ara Stephanian, Davis, CA (US); John D. Pavlidis, Los Altos, CA (US); and David K. Swanson, Campbell, CA (US)
Assigned to AtriCure, Inc., Mason, OH (US)
Filed by AtriCure, Inc., Mason, OH (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/643,238.
Application 17/643,238 is a continuation of application No. 16/286,173, filed on Feb. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,224,481.
Application 16/286,173 is a continuation of application No. 15/334,157, filed on Oct. 25, 2016, granted, now 10,251,699, issued on Apr. 9, 2019.
Application 15/334,157 is a continuation of application No. 13/473,311, filed on May 16, 2012, granted, now 9,474,574, issued on Oct. 25, 2016.
Application 13/473,311 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/295,852, filed on Nov. 14, 2011, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/456,918, filed on Nov. 12, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0151694 A1, May 19, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/18 (2006.01); A61B 18/02 (2006.01); A61B 18/20 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61N 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1492 (2013.01) [A61B 2018/00011 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00291 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00357 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00375 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00613 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00821 (2013.01); A61B 18/02 (2013.01); A61B 2018/142 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1467 (2013.01); A61B 18/1815 (2013.01); A61B 18/20 (2013.01); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2218/002 (2013.01); A61N 7/022 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical system for administering a lesion forming treatment to a patient tissue, comprising:
a housing having an outer membrane, an inner ribcage, one or more ablation elements, and an inner recess, wherein the outer membrane encases the inner ribcage, wherein the one or more ablation elements are disposed on the inner ribcage, wherein the inner ribcage comprises a first wall and a second wall extending parallel to the first wall;
a vacuum supply configured to deliver suction through the inner recess to draw a portion of the patient tissue into the inner recess, wherein inner ribcage permits movement of the first wall and the second wall upon application of a vacuum from the vacuum supply; and
wherein the one or more ablation elements are adjustable in response to movement of the first wall and the second wall to accommodate a variety of tissue thicknesses.