The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2003
Michael E. Leckrone, Mahtomedi, MN (US);
Timothy G. Laske, Shoreview, MN (US);
Michael Ujhelyi, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Michael E. Leckrone, Mahtomedi, MN (US);
Timothy G. Laske, Shoreview, MN (US);
Michael Ujhelyi, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for accessing the pericardial space which provides for stable short term or long term placement of a delivery catheter or cannula having its distal most end located in the pericardial space. The catheter or cannula may be introduced into the pericardial space either transvenously through the wall of a heart chamber or transthoracically by penetrating the chest wall and the pericardium. Some embodiments are provided with a mechanism for stabilizing the distal end of the catheter or cannula, which mechanism may employ an extensible elastic, generally tubular member located at the distal end of the catheter or cannula. The device may be provided with a mechanism for extending the tubular member longitudinally, causing its diameter to diminish substantially. The tubular member may be passed through the wall of the heart or the pericardium in its extended configuration and thereafter, the distal-most portion of the tubular member may be moved proximally, causing its diameter enlarge, anchoring the distal end of the catheter or cannula to the pericardium or to the wall of a heart chamber. In these embodiments, the device is preferably provided with a shoulder or flange located proximal to the extendible tubular member, for location on the opposite side of the heart wall or pericardium from the distal end of the catheter or cannula.