METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GUIDED TRANSLUMINAL INTERVENTIONS USING VESSEL WALL PENETRATING CATHETERS AND OTHER APPARATUS

摘要

Electro-anatomically navigated catheters (10) (e.g., mapping catheters, tissue penetrating catheters, delivery catheters and/or sheaths) and associated methods whereby devices or substances may be delivered to specific locations within a patient's body and/or penetration tracts (20) or passageways are formed at specific locations between anatomical structures. The catheters are equipped with sensors (14) and a sensing field is created around the body of the patient. The sensor-equipped catheters are then inserted into the patient's body and the position of the catheter-mounted sensor(s) is/are observed on a display representing the sensing field. Apparatus may be included for propelling the catheter(s) to specific locations and/or specific rotation orientations, within the patient's body.