Tissue perforation assemblies with stiff dialators

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to tissue perforation assemblies that can be used for perforation and hole dilation through a tissue, such as forming an opening in a host leaflet of a host valvular structure, in which a prosthetic valve can be implanted. In an example, the tissue perforation assembly comprises a delivery nosecone and a dilator distal to the delivery nosecone. Each of the delivery nosecone and the dilator can have a tapering distal portion. A perforating guidewire extends distally from the dilator, and a delivery guidewire extends proximally from the dilator, through a channel of the delivery nosecone. The tissue perforation assembly can be advanced towards the host valvular structure and optionally form a pilot puncture through the host leaflet by the perforating guidewire, after which the dilator can be passed through the puncture to further expand the opening.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.