Remote body tissue engaging methods and apparatus

摘要

Apparatus is provided that can be delivered through a catheter to a remote location in a patient's body. The apparatus may include a first structure that can be positioned in all dimensions in a controlled manner and stabilized in that desired position, a second structure that can then position a lumen axis at a desired angle relative to the first structure, and a third member that can pass through the lumen and approach and engage with force (e.g., penetrate) a desired location on the anatomy without compromising maintaining the desired position. The apparatus effectively separates the forces needed for positioning and the forces needed for tissue engagement (e.g., penetration).

主权项

1. Catheter-deliverable apparatus comprising:
a first expandable structure that can be positioned on a first side of a patient's body tissue structure edge; and a second expandable structure that can be positioned on a second side of the patient's body tissue structure edge, wherein each of the first and second expandable structures are expandable from substantially one dimension to a two-dimensional configuration, wherein the first expandable structure is a first V-shaped part having spaced ends, and the second expandable structure is a second V-shaped part having spaced ends, the spaced ends of the second V-shaped part being directly connected to the spaced ends of the first V-shaped part, and wherein the first and second expandable structures are resiliently biased to diverge from one another so that, in use, the tissue structure edge can be received between the first and second expandable structures and a first plane in which the first V-shaped part lies and a second plane in which the second V-shaped part lies form a V-shaped trough; further comprising a third V-shaped part having spaced ends, the spaced ends of the third V-shaped part being directly connected to the spaced ends of each of the first and second V-shaped parts.