Apparatus and methods for puncturing tissue

The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate puncture device delivers radiofrequency energy.

A method of puncturing a target tissue includes using an elongate puncture device having a tip electrode which is configured for collecting EGMs and for delivering energy for puncturing the target tissue, the method comprising collecting EGMs to indirectly measure and monitor a pressure applied against the target tissue by the elongate puncture device, thereby confirming a position of the tip electrode of the elongate puncture device relative to the target tissue.

A method of confirming a position of a tip of an elongate puncture device relative to an introducer wherein the elongate puncture device has a proximal marker which is visible to a naked eye and a distal tip marker which is visible under an imaging system, and the introducer has distal end marker which is visible under the imaging system, the method including the steps of:

• (1) positioning the elongate puncture device relative to a proximal end of the introducer using the proximal marker without an imaging system;
• (2) turning on the imaging system;
• and (3) positioning a distal tip of the elongate puncture device relative to an end of introducer by viewing the distal tip marker and distal end marker using the imaging system.

An elongate puncture device comprising:

• a mandrel which is electrically conductive and covered by a clear layer of insulation, the clear layer stopping short of a distal end of the mandrel such that the distal end of the mandrel is electrically exposed to define a distal tip electrode, a portion of the mandrel being surrounded by a visible marker, the visible marker being covered by the clear layer, wherein the portions of the elongate puncture device at and adjacent the visible marker have a constant outer diameter.

An introducer for use with an elongate puncture device, the introducer comprising an introducer shaft connected to a hub, the introducer shaft comprising an internal metal tube which is interposed between two layers of insulation with both ends of the two layers being joined together to bond the layers.

A kit comprising an introducer and an elongate puncture device, the elongate puncture device including a distal tip electrode which enables recording epicardial EGM and a shaft of the elongate puncture device is electrically insulated to reduce noise in any collected local EGM;

• and
• the introducer comprising an introducer shaft which connected to a hub, the introducer shaft comprising an internal metal tube which is interposed between two layers of electrical insulation with both ends of the two layers being joined together to bond the layers to reduce noise in any EGM collected by the elongate puncture device.