Method for accessing the left atrial appendage with a balloon-tipped transeptal sheath

• US 20070149995A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Quinn, Chris, Shimada, Jin
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12122 within the heart for closing a cardiac septal defect A61B17/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22044 with a pointed tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0161 wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

A method for accessing the left atrial appendage with a balloon-tipped transseptal sheath is disclosed. A transseptal sheath is delivered to the left atrium through the intraatrial septum from the right atrium. The balloon tip may be inflated to prevent the transseptal sheath from falling proximally into the right atrium. The inflated balloon tip permits safe probing and exploration of the left atrial appendage and facilitates safe maintenance of the position of the transseptal sheath within the left atrial appendage while delivering an implantable device to the left atrial appendage.

Claims

1. A method of delivering an implantable device to the left atrial appendage, comprising:

delivering a sheath to the left atrial appendage;

inflating a distal end of the sheath within the left atrial appendage to anchor the distal end to tissue within the left atrial appendage; and

delivering the implantable device through the sheath to the left atrial appendage.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing the distal end of the sheath from tissue adjacent the left atrial appendage prior to delivering the device through the sheath to the left atrial appendage.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising re-anchoring the distal end of the sheath to tissue adjacent the left atrial appendage.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sheath is advanced into the left atrial appendage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sheath has an atraumatic tip.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising expanding the implantable device in the left atrial appendage.

7. A method of delivering a device to an opening within a patient, comprising:

delivering a sheath to the opening;

anchoring a distal end of the sheath to tissue adjacent the opening; and

delivering a device through the sheath to the opening.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the opening is a left atrial appendage.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the opening is a heart opening or defect.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the sheath is anchored to tissue adjacent the opening by inflating a balloon on the distal end of the sheath.

11. A method of delivering an implantable device to the left atrial appendage, comprising:

delivering a sheath to the right atrium;

advancing the sheath through the septum to the left atrium;

inflating a distal end of the sheath, thereby providing the sheath with an atraumatic tip;

positioning the distal end of the sheath adjacent the left atrial appendage; and

delivering the implantable device through the sheath to the left atrial appendage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end is positioned within the left atrial appendage with the distal end inflated.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising deflating the distal end prior to delivering the implantable device through the sheath to the left atrial appendage.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising deflating the distal end after delivering the implantable device through the sheath to the left atrial appendage.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein inflating a distal end of the sheath comprises inflating a balloon, wherein the balloon has a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a greater diameter when the balloon is expanded.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein inflating a distal end of the sheath comprises inflating a balloon that expands radially and distally.