| 摘要 |
Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing a body lumen within a patient's body. Generally, the apparatus includes a tubular member including proximal and distal ends, a steering element extending between the proximal and distal ends, and an actuator for directing the distal end between a relaxed configuration and a complex curved configuration. In the relaxed configuration, the distal end may assume a straight or curved shape. In the complex curved configuration, the distal end may assume a curvilinear shape. In one embodiment, the complex curved configuration may include a first curved portion defining an arc within a plane, and a second portion that extends out of the plane. An embodiment with a left hand rule configuration may be introduced into the right atrium of a heart from a superior approach, and the complex curved configuration may facilitate accessing the coronary sinus.
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