Catheterization method and apparatus

A delivery system comprising:

• a first a catheter coupler comprising:
• a first catheter connection lumen;
• an outer circumferential passage;
• a plurality of connecting passages that each connect the catheter connection lumen to the outer circumferential passage;
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the outer circumferential passage;
• and
• wherein the outer circumferential passage and the plurality of connecting passages are sized such that when:
• the outlet port is oriented in a direction not vertically upward;
• upper ones of the connecting passages contain air;
• lower ones of the connecting passages contain liquid;
• and
• a vacuum is applied to the tube;
• the air is drawn out of the outlet port;
• a second catheter coupler comprising:
• a second catheter connection lumen;
• an outer circumferential passage;
• a plurality of connecting passages that each connect the catheter connection lumen to the outer circumferential passage;
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the outer circumferential passage;
• and
• wherein the outer circumferential passage and the plurality of connecting passages are sized such that when:
• the outlet port is oriented in a direction not vertically upward;
• upper ones of the connecting passages contain air;
• lower ones of the connecting passages contain liquid;
• and
• a vacuum is applied to the tube;
• the air is drawn out of the outlet port,
• a first catheter connected to the first catheter connection lumen of the first catheter coupler;
• a second catheter connected to the second catheter connection lumen of the second catheter coupler;
• wherein the second catheter extends through the first catheter coupler and the first catheter.

A method of measuring pressure in a heart chamber, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a valve implant or repair device delivery system into a left atrium, wherein the valve implant or repair device delivery system comprises:
• a first a catheter coupler comprising:
• a first catheter connection lumen;
• an outer circumferential passage;
• a plurality of connecting passages that each connect the catheter connection lumen to the outer circumferential passage;
• and
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the outer circumferential passage;
• a second catheter coupler comprising:
• a second catheter connection lumen;
• an outer circumferential passage;
• a plurality of connecting passages that each connect the catheter connection lumen to the outer circumferential passage;
• and
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the outer circumferential passage;
• a first catheter connected to the first catheter connection lumen of the first catheter coupler;
• a second catheter connected to the second catheter connection lumen of the second catheter coupler;
• wherein the second catheter extends through the first catheter coupler and the first catheter;
• a pressure sensor lumen in at least one of the first catheter and second catheter;
• a pressure sensor and a fluid disposed in the pressure sensor lumen;
• exposing an open distal end of the pressure sensor lumen to the left atrium;
• taking a first blood pressure measurement within the left atrium with the pressure sensor at a designated time during a cardiac cycle.