Engagement catheter systems and devices and methods of using the same

An engagement catheter for use with a vacuum source for engaging a tissue, the engagement catheter comprising:

• a first lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
• a skirt operatively connected to the distal end, the skirt comprising a proximal end having a circumference substantially similar to an outer circumference of the engagement catheter, the skirt further comprising a distal end having a circumference larger than the outer circumference of the engagement catheter;
• a suction port located at or near the distal end of the engagement catheter and in communication with the first lumen of the engagement catheter, the suction port configured to allow the distal end of the skirt to removably engage a surface of a bodily tissue;
• and
• a vacuum port located at the proximal end of the engagement catheter, the vacuum port in communication with the first lumen of the engagement catheter and capable of operative connection to a vacuum source;
• wherein when a vacuum source is operatively attached to the vacuum port, the skirt is capable of forming a reversible seal with the surface of the bodily tissue;
• and
• wherein the engagement catheter is capable of locally increasing a distance between the bodily tissue and a pericardium that surrounds a heart by retracting the bodily tissue away from the pericardium while the reversible seal is formed.

A method of engaging a tissue, the method comprising the steps of:

• introducing at least part of a system into a luminal organ of a patient, the system comprising:
• an engagement catheter comprising:
• a first lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end,
• a skirt operatively connected to the distal end, the skirt comprising a proximal end having a circumference substantially similar to an outer circumference of the engagement catheter, the skirt further comprising a distal end having a circumference larger than the outer circumference of the engagement catheter, and
• a suction port located at or near the distal end of the engagement catheter and in communication with the first lumen of the engagement catheter, the suction port configured to allow the distal end of the skirt to removably engage a surface of a bodily tissue;
• a needle located within the first lumen of the engagement catheter;
• and
• a vacuum port located at the proximal end of the engagement catheter, the vacuum port in communication with the first lumen of the engagement catheter and capable of operative connection to a vacuum source, wherein when a vacuum source is operatively attached to the vacuum port, the skirt is capable of forming a reversible seal with the surface of the bodily tissue;
• and
• positioning the distal end of the engagement catheter at or near the bodily tissue;
• and
• operating the vacuum source so that the skirt forms a reversible seal with the surface of the bodily tissue and so that a distance between the bodily tissue and a pericardium that surrounds a heart is locally increased by retracting the bodily tissue away from the pericardium by retracting the engagement catheter.