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:
Mar. 24, 2015
Filed:
Apr. 13, 2011
Gregory W. Fung, San Mateo, CA (US);
Russell A. Seiber, Redwood Shores, CA (US);
Eduardo A. Sager, Jr., Milpitas, CA (US);
Arnold M. Escano, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Saratoga, CA (US);
Gregory W. Fung, San Mateo, CA (US);
Russell A. Seiber, Redwood Shores, CA (US);
Eduardo A. Sager, Jr., Milpitas, CA (US);
Arnold M. Escano, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Saratoga, CA (US);
SentreHEART, Inc., Redwood City, CA (US);
Abstract
Devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space of a heart are described here. Access devices may generally comprise a tissue-engaging member, a tissue-piercing member, and a guide element. The access device may be introduced to the surface of a pericardium, where the tissue-engaging member may be deployed to engage a portion of the pericardium without engaging the epicardial surface of the heart. Once the access device has engaged the pericardium, the device may manipulate the pericardium to increase the distance between a portion of the pericardium and the epicardial surface of the heart. Once a sufficient space has been created, the tissue-piercing member may be advanced to pierce the pericardium and enter the pericardial space. The guide element may then be introduced into the pericardial space to provide an access pathway to the heart for other devices.