Method and apparatus for performing transesophageal cardiovascular procedures

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a transesophageal cardiovascular procedure includes an elongated tubular main access device having a first lumen with an open proximal end and a distal side opening, and a second lumen with a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall. The second lumen is adapted to receive an elongated probe or surgical device. The apparatus further includes an inflatable sealing means on the outside of the main access device above and below the side opening, and a first fluid conduit extending along the main access device for inflating the sealing means so that when the main access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the sealing means are inflated. The portion of the esophagus opposite the side opening is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the side opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising:
 a first lumen configured to traverse a portion of a patient's esophagus, wherein the first lumen includes an open proximal end and a side opening in a distal end, wherein the opening is configured to be adjacent the patient's esophagus;   a second lumen configured to receive any of a device and probe, wherein the second lumen includes a portion configured to direct the any of the device and the probe through the side opening in the distal end of the first lumen; and   means for generating an opening in the patient's esophagus through the opening in the distal end of the first lumen to thereby provide access to the patient's intra-thoracic cavity from the esophagus, wherein the means for generating the opening is insertable into the second lumen.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second lumen is configured to receive the device and to direct the device through the opening in the distal end of the first lumen and through the opening in the patient's esophagus into a intra-thoracic cavity of the patient, and wherein the device is configured to control cardiac pacing of a heart. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the device includes sensors configured for cardiac mapping. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the device includes electrodes configured to be positioned in contact with the patient's heart. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the electrodes are configured to ablate cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an isolation component positioned on the outside of the access device adjacent to the opening in the distal end of the first lumen and configured to isolate a portion of the patient's esophagus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the isolation component comprises at least one elongated balloon configured to isolate the patient's esophagus above and below the opening in the access device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a first fluid conduit extending along the access device for inflating the isolation component so that when the access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the isolation component actuated, the portion of the patient's esophagus opposite the opening in the access device is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the opening in the access device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second lumen includes a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a second fluid conduit configured to introducing a fluid between the inner and outer walls of the second lumen to collapse the inner wall against the probe or device. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an ultrasound probe for imaging the patient's heart. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising:
 a first means for traversing a portion of a patient's esophagus, wherein the first means lumen includes an open proximal end and a side opening in a distal end, wherein the opening is configured to be adjacent the patient's esophagus;   a second means for receiving any of a device and probe, wherein the second means includes a portion configured to direct the any of the device and the probe through the side opening in the distal end of the first means; and   a cutting device configured to be insertable into the second means and configured to generate an opening in the patient's esophagus through the opening in the distal end of the first means to thereby provide access to the patient's intra-thoracic cavity from the esophagus.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the second means is configured to receive the device and to direct the device through the opening in the distal end of the first means and through the opening in the patient's esophagus into a intra-thoracic cavity of the patient, and wherein the device is configured to control cardiac pacing of a heart. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for generating includes sensors configured for cardiac mapping. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the device includes electrodes configured to be positioned in contact with the patient's heart. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrodes are configured to ablate cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising an isolation component positioned on the outside of the access device adjacent to the opening in the distal end of the first means and configured to isolate a portion of the patient's esophagus. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the isolation component comprises at least one elongated balloon configured to isolate the patient's esophagus above and below the opening in the access device. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a first fluid conduit extending along the access device for inflating the isolation component so that when the access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the isolation component actuated, the portion of the patient's esophagus opposite the opening in the access device is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the opening in the access device. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the second means includes a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall.