EXTRAVASCULAR MEDICAL ACCESS TOOLS HAVING BORING TIP AND METHODS OF USING SUCH TOOLS

摘要

This disclosure describes various tools and associated methods suitable for gaining access to extravascular spaces. The various tools and associated methods utilize a boring tip that may rotate to aid in safely and effectively crossing diaphragmatic attachments. The boring tip may, in some instances not have any sharp edge. For example, the boring tip may have a dome shape but including at least one surface recessed and offset from a summit of the dome shape. Various mechanisms may be used to control rotation of the boring tip as described herein.

主权项

1. A tool for creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient, the tool comprising a handle and a tunneling assembly, the tunneling assembly comprising:
a relatively rigid tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being attached to the handle such that the distal portion extends distally from the handle; an elongate inner member extending within the tubular member and comprising:
a proximal portion protruding out from the proximal portion of the tubular member and being attached to the handle, the proximal portion of the inner member including an interface for receiving a force that rotates the inner member relative to the tubular member; anda boring tip without any sharp edge, the tip protruding out from the distal portion of the tubular member and generally conforming to a dome shape but including at least one surface recessed from the dome shape, each of the at least one surface being offset from a summit of the dome shape, the summit of the dome shape coinciding with a distal-most edge of the boring tip.