Trans-septal Puncture Catheter Incorporating Intra-cardiac Echocardiography

A catheter apparatus for performing intra-cardiac trans-septal puncture with continuous imaging, comprising:

• an elongated outer catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a peripheral wall defining an outer lumen;
• disposed within the lumen of the outer catheter body is an imaging transducer apparatus, and an elongated inner catheter body;
• the inner catheter body has a proximal end, a distal end, and a peripheral wall defining an inner lumen, the distal end of the inner catheter body is a pre-formed shape-memory needle sheath housing a pre-formed shape-memory needle assembly;
• and
• the needle assembly comprises a needle disposed within an introducer.