Transseptal puncture apparatus

• US 8,157,829 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2010
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pressure Products Medical Supplies Incorporated
• Inventors: Chanduszko, Andrzej J., Devellian, Carol A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/652,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/151, 606/185, 606/213, 600/411, 604/96.01, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/185
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06095 pliable

Abstract

Devices and methods for performing a transeptal puncture procedure are described. In certain embodiments, the device includes a blunt outer needle, and a second inner needle disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the outer needle, wherein the inner needle is flexible, e.g., has a flexible portion and/or a bend or other non-traumatic conformation at its tip.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a left atrium of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

introducing into the right atrium via a vessel a transseptal puncture device including a distal end and comprising;

a tubular body including a distal end and a lumen disposed therein; and

a solid inner needle axially disposed in the lumen of the tubular body and moveable beyond the distal end of the tubular body, the solid inner needle including a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, wherein the intermediate portion is more flexible than the proximal portion, and wherein the distal portion is generally curved, is more flexible than the proximal portion, and includes a tip configured to pierce the atrial septum;

contacting the distal end of the tubular body with the atrial septum to tent part of the atrial septum;

while tenting the atrial septum, advancing the tip of the solid inner needle through the atrial septum and into the left atrium; and

advancing at least part of the solid inner needle into the left atrium, such that the distal portion of the solid inner needle deflects upon entry into the left atrium to prevent puncture of a left atrial wall.

2. The method of claim 1, further including advancing the distal end of the solid inner needle into a pulmonary vein of the left atrium.

3. The method of claim 1, further including advancing the distal end of the tubular body through the atrial septum and into the left atrium.

4. The method of claim 3, further including withdrawing the tubular body from the left atrium.

5. The method of claim 1, further including withdrawing the solid inner needle from the left atrium.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a locator device to stabilize the atrial septum prior to advancing the tip of the solid inner needle through the septum.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular body includes at least one of a needle, a dilator, and a sheath.