Transseptal puncture apparatus

A method for treating a patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart, comprising:

• accessing the right atrium via a vessel;
• introducing into the right atrium via said vessel a transseptal puncture device comprising:
• a sheath including a distal end and a longitudinally lumen disposed within;
• an outer needle comprising a blunt distal end and a lumen longitudinally disposed substantially therethrough;
• and
• a solid inner needle axially disposed in the lumen of the outer needle and moveable beyond the distal end of the outer needle, the solid inner needle comprised substantially of a single material and comprising a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, wherein the intermediate portion is more flexible than the distal portion and the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion, and wherein the distal portion includes a sharp tip configured to pierce the atrial septum;
• contacting the outer needle with the atrial septum adjacent a patent foramen ovale;
• while maintaining contact of the outer needle against the atrial septum, advancing the sharp tip of the solid inner needle through the atrial septum and into the left atrium;
• advancing at least part of the solid inner needle into the left atrium, such that at least one of the intermediate and distal portions of the solid inner needle will deflect upon contact with a wall of the left atrium to prevent puncture of the left atrial wall,
• advancing the distal end of the outer needle through the atrial septum and into the left atrium;
• advancing the distal end of the sheath through the atrial septum and into the left atrium;
• withdrawing at least one of the needles from the left atrium;
• and
• introducing a flexible member via the lumen of the sheath to at least partially occlude the patent foramen ovale.