Method of surgical perforation via the delivery of energy

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for the perforation of heart tissue of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated are disclosed. The method includes using a superior approach to introduce the apparatus, positioning the apparatus at a tissue location and delivering a controlled amount of non-mechanical energy to the tissue to create a perforation. For example, a method of surgical perforation via the delivery of electrical, radiant or thermal energy may include: introducing an apparatus comprising an energy delivery device into a patient's heart via the patient's superior vena cava; positioning the energy delivery device at a first location adjacent material to be perforated; and perforating the material by delivering energy via the energy delivery device; wherein the energy is selected from the group consisting of electrical energy, radiant energy and thermal energy.

主权项

1. A method of surgical perforation, the method utilizing an apparatus having an energy delivery device at a distal end thereof and a delivery system comprising a sheath and a dilator, said method comprising the steps of:
(i) inserting the delivery system into a patient's vasculature at a location superior to a patient's heart; (ii) advancing the delivery system into the patient's heart through a superior vena cava; (iii) adjusting a shape of a distal portion of the delivery system to define a first configuration such that a distal end of the delivery system is oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to a surface of a septum of the patient's heart; (iv) inserting the apparatus through the delivery system to position the energy delivery device about the distal end of the delivery system; (v) positioning the delivery system such that it is braced against a free wall of a right atrium of the patient's heart and positioning said energy delivery device at a first location against the septum; and (vi) delivering energy via said energy delivery device to create a perforation through the septum.