Apparatus and method for accessing an intrapericardial space

A medical device configured to engage and penetrate a tissue barrier, the device comprising:

• a helical tissue engagement member configured to be screwed into the tissue barrier;
• a first tubular body including a distal piercing tip extendable through the helical tissue engagement member;
• and
• a longitudinally extending member having a distal end;
• wherein the longitudinally extending member and helical tissue engagement member are configured to act together to pinch the tissue barrier between a portion of the helical tissue engagement member screwed into the tissue barrier and the distal end of the longitudinally extending member.

A method of accessing a location separated by a tissue barrier, the method comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• an outer tubular body;
• an inner tubular body operably coupled to the outer tubular body in a lumen of the outer tubular body and longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer tubular body;
• a helical engagement member operably coupled to the outer tubular body in the lumen of the outer tubular body and longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer tubular body;
• and a pinching element operably coupled to the outer tubular body;
• positioning a distal end of the outer tubular body in close proximity to the tissue barrier;
• screwing the helical engagement member into the tissue barrier;
• pinching the tissue barrier between a portion of the helical engagement member screwed into the tissue barrier and the pinching element, resulting in a pinched tissue barrier;
• pulling the pinched tissue barrier proximally;
• and
• causing the inner tubular body to distally project from the distal end of the outer tubular body such that a piercing distal end of the inner tubular body pierces the pinched tissue barrier.