DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR ACCESSING CARDIAC TISSUE

摘要

Devices, systems, and methods for accessing the internal and external tissues of the heart are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein provide access to the external surface of the heart through the pericardial space for localized delivery of substances to the heart tissue. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide access to the internal surface of the heart for aspiration and delivery of substances to a targeted region without disturbing or interfering with nearby structures or surfaces.

主权项

1. An engagement catheter for engaging heart tissue, comprising:
an elongated tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a vacuum port in communication with the proximal end of the tube, the vacuum port operatively connected to the internal lumen and capable of operative connection to a vacuum source; and a suction port in communication with the internal lumen at or near the distal end of the tube, the suction port configured to removably engage a targeted tissue on the interior of a wall of a heart, such that the suction port is capable of forming a reversible seal with the wall of the heart when the vacuum source is operatively attached to the vacuum port; wherein the engagement catheter is configured for percutaneous intravascular insertion into a patient through a blood vessel of the patient and further configured for advancement to the targeted tissue through the blood vessel; wherein the suction port is configured to removably attach to the targeted tissue under vacuum applied from the vacuum source after introduction of a portion of the engagement catheter into the blood vessel; wherein the engagement catheter is configured so that at least a portion of the engagement catheter can be retracted after percutaneous intravascular insertion, while remaining removably attached to the targeted tissue due to vacuum from the vacuum source through the first lumen of the engagement catheter and suction engagement from the suction port, so to locally increase a distance between the targeted tissue and a pericardium surrounding the heart; and wherein the engagement catheter is configured so that when the engagement catheter is used to form the reversible seal under vacuum through the first lumen using the suction port, a second device can be delivered through the vacuum port into the first lumen of the engagement catheter while maintaining the reversible seal.