PERICARDIAL ACCESS DEVICE

摘要

A method is provided for accessing a pericardial space of a subject. The method includes advancing a guide member toward a heart, having (a) a transparent blunt distal end, and (b) a side-facing suction port. During advancing of the guide member, an imaging device disposed in the guide member generates an image of part of the heart. Subsequently to contacting the pericardium with the suction port, the imaging device is retracted proximally in the guide member. Subsequently, a portion of the pericardium is drawn into the guide member through the suction port. Following the drawing of the portion into the guide member, an image of the pericardium disposed within the suction port, is generated. Subsequently, a puncturing element is advanced in the guide member to puncture the portion of the pericardium that is in the guide member. Other applications are also described.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
distally advancing a longitudinal guide member toward a heart of a subject, the guide member (a) shaped to define a blunt distal end having an outer surface at least part of which is transparent, and (b) shaped to define an at least partially side-facing suction port at a distal portion of the longitudinal guide member; during the advancing, using an imaging device disposed at least partially in the guide member to generate an image of at least part of the heart; contacting an outer surface of a pericardium of the heart with the suction port; subsequently, retracting the imaging device proximally in the guide member; subsequently, drawing a portion of the pericardium into the guide member by applying suction to the pericardium through the suction port, at at least one time following the drawing of the portion of the pericardium into the guide member, generating an image of the pericardium disposed within the suction port; subsequently, advancing a puncturing element into the guide member; and puncturing the portion of the pericardium that is in the guide member using the puncturing element.