Intravascular sheath with mapping capabilities to deliver therapeutic devices to a targeted location within a blood vessel

A system for delivering a therapeutic device to a desired location within a vasculature of a patient, comprising:

• a) a surgical apparatus including:
• i) an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the tubular body including an outer wall surrounding an interior lumen, wherein a target opening is formed through the outer wall of the tubular body within the distal end portion thereof in communication with the interior lumen;
• ii) at least one distal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening;
• and
• iii) at least one proximal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening;
• b) a therapeutic device introduced through a proximal hub into the interior lumen and configured to be advanced through the target opening;
• and
• c) a metering system electronically coupled to the at least one distal sensing electrode and the at least one proximal sensing electrode for determining the exact positioning of the target opening within the vasculature of a patient.

A method for delivering a therapeutic device to a desired location within a vasculature of a patient, the steps comprising:

• a) providing a surgical apparatus including:
• i) an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the tubular body including an outer wall surrounding an interior lumen, wherein a target opening is formed through the outer wall of the tubular body within the distal end portion thereof in communication with the interior lumen;
• ii) at least one distal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening;
• and
• iii) at least one proximal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening;
• b) facilitating insertion of the distal end portion of the surgical apparatus within the vasculature of the patient;
• c) accepting a therapeutic device through a proximal hub into the interior lumen;
• d) sensing nerve signals using the at least one distal sensing electrode and the at least one proximal sensing electrode to determine the best location for placement of the therapeutic device;
• and
• e) facilitating placement of the therapeutic device at the best location by advancing the therapeutic device from the interior lumen through the target opening.