| abstract |
A minimally invasive medical or surgical device (10) creates holes in heart tissue utilizing a needle (20) connected to an energy source, such a radio frequency generator (36), a resistive heating source or a microwave energy source. The needle is inserted into heart tissue from an exterior of the heart, and activated to heat the surrounding tissue in order to produce reversible damage. The device consists of an energy source, and regulator (38), electrical contacts to the energy source (34), a catheter (18), and a needle (20) at the distal end of the catheter for delivering energy to the heart tissue. A temperature sensor (42) may be positioned on the needle. Preferably, a regulator (38) is connected to the energy source, and the temperature sensor for controlling the heart tissue to about 40 degrees C to 60 degrees C. |