Tissue puncture assemblies and methods for puncturing tissue

Abstract

A tissue puncture assembly includes an elongate tubular member having a lumen, a distal portion having a side wall, a side port opening extending through the side wall and, and a guiding surface having a distal end that extends adjacent to a distal edge of the side port opening. The tissue puncture assembly further includes a flexible puncture member insertable through the lumen of the elongate tubular member. The flexible puncture member deflects upon contacting the guiding surface to exit the elongate tubular member through the side port in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongate tubular member. The tissue puncture member is capable of puncturing tissue at an oblique angle. The tissue puncture member may further adopt a pre-formed shape at its distal end to prevent inadvertent puncture of tissue and to maintain access to the puncture site. The transseptal puncture assembly may include various sensors to identify tissue structures and precisely locate the desired puncture site.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 345,243, filed 29 Dec. 2008, now pending, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]a. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention pertains generally to devices and methods for puncturing tissue within the body. More particularly, the invention is directed to devices and methods for puncturing the interatrial septum and / or pericardial sac to facilitate atrial and / or epicardial ablation.[0004]b. Background Art[0005]The traditional method for gaining access to the left atrium is to puncture the interatrial septum at the location of the fossa ovalis. Access to the left atrium is needed for a variety of therapeutic medical procedures, for example left atrial radiofrequency catheter ablation. Nevertheless, transseptal puncture has numerous potential complications. For instance, advancing the needle beyond t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a tissue puncture assembly that can puncture tissue at an oblique angle and maintain access to the puncture site. It also automatically adopts an atraumatic shape after puncturing a tissue to prevent inadvertent puncture of other tissues or structures.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, transseptal puncture has numerous potential complications.

For instance, advancing the needle beyond the interatrial septum may result in inadvertent puncture of heart structures such as the left atrial free wall.

Moreover, improperly puncturing a site other than the fossa ovalis—a structure notoriously difficult to locate—may lead to certain surgical complications.

Additionally, reliably verifying that puncture was successful may be complicated by a lack of left atrial access post-puncture.

Many current transseptal needle devices and assemblies do not address these concerns.

For instance, some transseptal needle devices feature a needle which punctures tissue in a substantially straight orientation and cannot be manipulated to puncture tissue at an angle.

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