Methods and devices for pericardial access

A method for accessing a pericardial space of a heart comprising:

• advancing a device into a chest cavity, wherein the device comprises an engagement element, an inner tubular body, and a guidewire, wherein the engagement element comprises a sharpened distal tip, a penetration limiter for engaging a pericardium, a first lumen therethrough, and a distal aperture, wherein the inner tubular body comprises a first lumen therethrough and is slidably disposed in the first lumen of the engagement element, and wherein the guidewire is advanceable through the first lumen of the inner tubular body;
• puncturing the pericardium with the sharpened distal tip of the engagement element and advancing the sharpened distal tip into the pericardial space;
• engaging a portion of the pericardium with the penetration limiter;
• advancing the inner tubular body into the pericardial space;
• and
• advancing the guidewire through the inner tubular body and into the pericardial space.