Electrocautery coring using solid needle

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus (10) for transmyocardial re-vascularization. The apparatus (10) includes an incision needle (20) for creating an incision within a patient's heart to define a channel, an electrocautery assembly operatively associated with the incision needle (20) for transferring thermal energy to an inner surface of the channel to reduce bleeding therefrom, and to prevent the channel from closing. Preferably, thermal energy is not transferred to the epicardium to create a flap or channel cap after the cylindrical incision needle (20) is removed from relevant tissue to reduce bleeding from the channel.