Devices, systems, and methods for improving access to cardiac and vascular chambers

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are provided for enhancing mechanical strength of tissue, allowing direct and secure access to cardiac and vascular structures, either through tiny incisions or percutaneously. The devices may include a sheath including an open channel configured to accept interventional devices and configured to be inserted into an access channel. The device may include mechanisms for injection of a tissue-stabilizing composition into, around, and/or adjacent to the tissue surrounding the sheath. The device may include at least one energy-transducing element configured to deliver energy to a tissue surrounding the sheath. The energy-transducing element may be configured to heat, shrink and seal the tissue around the sheath. The energy-transducing element may be disposed on an introducer, on a sleeve, or on the sheath. A sealing delivery device for sealing the access channel may be configured to deliver a sealing device into the mechanically enhanced access channel, achieving permanent closure.

1 . A heart access device configured to provide a mechanically enhanced access channel within a tissue or a muscle of the heart, comprising:
 a sheath including an open channel configured to accept an interventional device, the sheath being configured to be inserted into the access channel; and   at least one energy-transducing element configured to deliver energy to tissue surrounding the sheath, the energy-transducing element being configured to cause the surrounding tissue to stabilize around the sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an introducer configured to form the access channel, wherein the introducer includes the at least one transducing element. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heart access device includes a plurality of energy-transducing elements, the plurality of energy-transducing elements being disposed in a pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heart access devices includes a sleeve, the sleeve including the at least one energy-transducing element. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve is at least one of configured to surround the sheath or to move with respect to the sheath. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the energy-transducing element is configured to heat a tissue-stabilizing composition. 
     
     
         9 . A heart access device configured to provide a mechanically enhanced access channel within tissue or muscle of the heart, comprising:
 a sheath including an open channel configured to accept an interventional device; and   an introducer including at least one least one energy-transducing element configured to delivery energy,   the open channel of the sheath being configured to accept the introducer, the introducer being configured to be movably disposed with respect to the sheath.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The heart access device of  claim 8 , wherein the sheath includes at least one energy focusing element, the at least one energy focusing element being configured to focus the energy on at least one of surrounding tissue or a tissue-stabilizing composition surrounding a portion of the heart access device. 
     
     
         12 . The heart access device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one energy focusing element corresponds to the energy-transducing element. 
     
     
         13 . The heart access device of  claim 7 , wherein the energy-transducing element is configured to deliver microwave, ultrasound, RF, or heat energy. 
     
     
         14 . The heart access device of  claim 7 , further comprising a sealing device configured to seal the access channel. 
     
     
         15 . The heart access device of  claim 7 , further comprising a sealing device introducer, the sealing device introducer configured to position and anchor the sealing device within the access channel. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for accessing a cardiac chamber or a vascular conduit, comprising:
 providing an access channel into tissue of the chamber or the conduit;   providing an energy-transducing element configured to provide heat within the access channel; and   applying energy to the tissue or a tissue-stabilizing composition injected into, around, or adjacent to the tissue to mechanically enhance the access channel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the energy is applied to the tissue, and the energy heats the tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising delivering the tissue-stabilizing composition prior to applying the energy wherein the energy is applied to the tissue-stabilizing composition. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)