Laceration system and device, and methods for laceration

A method for lacerating tissue in a medical procedure, comprising:

• providing a laceration system comprising a radiofrequency generator and a laceration device, the laceration device comprising a shaft, a clamp extending from a distal portion of the shaft and having a first clamp arm and a second clamp arm, a first radiofrequency electrode associated with the first clamp arm and including a first perforation surface and a first laceration surface, and a second radiofrequency electrode associated with the second clamp arm and including a second perforation surface and a second laceration surface;
• advancing the laceration device towards a target anatomical structure;
• clamping the clamp onto the target anatomical structure to position the first perforation surface against a first surface of the target anatomical structure and to position the second perforation surface against a second surface of the target anatomical structure opposite the first surface;
• supplying radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency generator to the first radiofrequency electrode and the second radiofrequency electrode to cause the first perforation surface and the second perforation surface to perforate through the target anatomical structure;
• and
• while continuing to supply radiofrequency energy, applying force to move the laceration device such that the first laceration surface and the second laceration surface lacerate the target anatomical structure.

A method for perforating and lacerating a target anatomical structure during a transvenous structural heart procedure, comprising:

• advancing a clamp of a laceration device towards the target anatomical structure, the clamp having a first clamp arm with a first radiofrequency electrode and a second clamp arm with a second radiofrequency electrode;
• positioning the target anatomical structure between the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm;
• clamping onto the target anatomical structure by moving the first clamp arm towards the second clamp arm to secure the clamp to the target anatomical structure and to position a first perforation surface of the first radiofrequency electrode facing a second perforation surface of the second radiofrequency electrode with the target anatomical structure therebetween;
• activating the first radiofrequency electrode and the second radiofrequency electrode to perforate the target anatomical structure with the first perforation surface and the second perforation surface;
• and
• applying tensile force to the laceration device while the first radiofrequency electrode and the second radiofrequency electrode are activated,
• wherein applying tensile force causes a first laceration surface of the first radiofrequency electrode and a second laceration surface of the second radiofrequency electrode to lacerate the target anatomical structure.