Methods for determining a position of a first medical device with respect to a second medical device, and related systems and medical devices

A method of performing a transseptal perforation procedure, the method comprising:

• advancing a first medical device via the femoral vein toward a heart of a patient, the first medical device including an elongate member, the elongate member having a proximal portion defining a proximal end, a distal portion defining a distal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end;
• advancing a second medical device along the lumen of the elongate member, the second medical device including a radiofrequency perforation device, the radiofrequency perforation device having a proximal portion defining a proximal end and a distal portion defining a distal end;
• providing a circuit associated with the first and second medical devices, the circuit including a sensor configured to monitor the circuit for changes in electrical values and a processor in communication with the sensor;
• positioning the distal end of the elongate member proximate a fossa ovalis of an atrial septum of the patient's heart and extending the distal end of radiofrequency perforation device beyond the distal end of the elongate member to perforate the atrial septum;
• generating, via the sensor, a sensor signal indicative of a change in an electrical value and communicating the sensor signal to the processor;
• and
• processing, via the processor, the sensor signal to generate a processor signal indicative of the longitudinal position of the distal end of the radiofrequency perforation device with respect to the distal end of the elongate member.

A system for performing a transseptal perforation procedure, the system comprising:

• elongate member, the elongate member having a proximal portion defining a proximal end, a distal portion defining a distal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end;
• a radiofrequency perforation device, the radiofrequency perforation device having a proximal portion defining a proximal end and a distal portion defining a distal end, wherein the radiofrequency perforation device is configured to be advanced along the lumen of the elongate member toward the distal end of the elongate member;
• and
• a circuit associated with the first and second medical devices, the circuit comprising a sensor and a processor in communication with the sensor;
• wherein the sensor is configured to sense a change in an electrical characteristic of the circuit occurring when the distal end of the radiofrequency perforation device has passed beyond the distal end of the elongate member and punctured an atrial septum of a patient's heart and generate a sensor signal based on the change;
• wherein the processor is configured to process the sensor signal to generate a processor signal indicative of the longitudinal position of the distal end of the radiofrequency perforation device with respect to the distal end of the elongate member.