Methods and apparatus for pericardial access
AssigneeAaron V. Kaplan
InventorsAaron V. Kaplan, Jordan T. Bajor, Nubar S. Manoukian
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Abstract
An access tube is used for accessing an anatomic space, such as a pericardial space between the parietal and visceral pericardia. The access tube is advanced against the parietal pericardium and an anchor structure thereon embedded into the parietal pericardium. The access tube can then be used to separate the parietal and visceral pericardia and enlarge the pericardial space. After such enlargement, a needle or other access device can be introduced through the access tube into the pericardial space to provide access for a wide variety of purposes, including aspiration, infusion, and guidewire placement.
Claims14
A method for accessing an anatomic space having a wall with an outer surface, said method comprising:
- embedding a distal end of an access tube into the outer surface
- drawing the access tube proximally to raise the wall over the anatomic space and to enlarge the anatomic space;
- and
- introducing an access device through the access tube, penetrating the wall and into the anatomic space while the access tube stabilizes the wall.
A method for accessing the pericardial space between the visceral and parietal pericardium, said method comprising:
- percutaneously positioning a distal end of an access tube over the parietal pericardium;
- embedding the distal end of the access tube into the parietal pericardium but not into the visceral pericardium;
- proximally drawing on the access tube to separate the parietal pericardium from the visceral pericardium to enlarge the pericardial space therebetween;
- and
- penetrating an access device through the access tube and parietal pericardium and into the pericardial space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.