Method and system for accessing a pericardial space

US8603031B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Peter Callas · Castro Valley, US
• Gary Hague · Swindon, GB
• John S. Greenland · San Diego, US
• Bruce A. Tockman · Scandia, US
• Peter T. Kelley · Buffalo, US
• Jason Alan Shiroff · Edina, US
• David B. Yingling · Stillwater, US
• Theodore J. Schulte · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 10, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 2, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/306
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device and method for accessing a pericardial space of the heart includes a shaft having a cavity at a distal end, a suction lumen terminating in a distal port within the cavity and a hollow needle having a distal tip extending into the cavity. The cavity may be a recess in the shaft into which the distal tip of the needle fixedly protrudes. In other embodiments, the cavity is formed by an inflatable member positioned at the distal end of the shaft and the needle is slidable relative to the shaft. Suction is applied at the cavity to draw a pericardial bleb. The needle pierces the pericardial bleb for accessing the pericardial space and also facilitates delivery of payloads into the pericardial space.