Transseptal left atrial access and septal closure

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for transseptal access into the left atrium of a heart. In one embodiment an apparatus for transseptal left atrial access comprised of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel and one or more RF devices adapted to be extendable from the distal end of said catheter and configured for the penetration or sealing of septal tissue.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A method for treating a patient, comprising: 
 introducing a catheter into a patient's right atrium;    forming an opening in septal tissue between the patient's right atrium and the patient's left atrium;    passing at least one of a diagnostic device and a therapeutic device through the opening;    performing at least one of a diagnostic process and a therapeutic process in the left atrium with the at least one device; and    removing the at least one device through the opening.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising sealing the opening.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein sealing the opening includes sealing the opening from the right atrium.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein sealing the opening includes sealing the opening with RF energy.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising sealing a PFO.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising tightening loose septal tissue.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein forming an opening includes forming an opening with RF energy.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein forming an opening includes forming an opening with a monopolar RF electrode.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein forming an opening includes forming an opening with a bipolar RF electrode.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein forming an opening includes forming at least one slit.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein forming at least one slit includes forming a single slit.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein forming at least one slit includes forming multiple slits.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising immobilizing the septal tissue while forming an opening in the septal tissue.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising sensing a characteristic of the septal tissue.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein sensing a characteristic of the septal tissue includes sensing a tissue impedance.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein sensing a characteristic of the septal tissue includes sensing a tissue temperature.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising eluting at least one of a cooling fluid and an electrically conductive fluid from the catheter.  
   
   
       47 . A device for treating a patient comprising: 
 an intravenous catheter configured to be introduced into a patient's right atrium, the catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion;    a tissue penetrating device carried by the catheter, the tissue penetrating device including an RF electrode deployable from the distal portion of the catheter and configured to make an opening in septal tissue between the patient's right atrium and left atrium;    an RF energy source coupled to the tissue penetrating device at the proximal portion of the catheter; and    at least one of a diagnostic device and a therapeutic device carried by the catheter and deployable from the distal portion through the opening made by the tissue penetrating device and into the left atrium.    
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the RF electrode is shaped to make a slit in the septal tissue.  
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 47 , further comprising a tissue sealing member carried by the catheter.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the electrode includes a monopolar electrode.  
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the electrode includes a bipolar electrode.  
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 47 , further comprising a tissue sensor carried by the catheter.