Transcatheter insertion device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transcatheter method for providing fluid communication between two anatomical compartments. The present invention also relates to a transcatheter system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein said connector is adapted to receive a flow regulating device, a connector, a flow regulating device and an insertion device.

1 . A transcatheter insertion device comprising a guide wire comprising an integrally formed puncture head. 
     
     
         2 . The insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the puncture head comprises a solid distal tip. 
     
     
         3 . The insertion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the puncture head has a conical distal tip. 
     
     
         4 . The insertion device according to  claim 3 , wherein the diameter at the base of the conical tip is substantially the same as the diameter of the guide wire. 
     
     
         5 . The insertion device according to  claim 4 , wherein the guide wire is capable of coiling around the puncture head. 
     
     
         6 . The insertion device according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide wire is made of a shape memory material. 
     
     
         7 . The insertion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dilator. 
     
     
         8 . The insertion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery sheath. 
     
     
         9 . The insertion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an outer delivery sheath. 
     
     
         10 . A method for puncturing at least one anatomical wall separating two anatomical compartments using an insertion device as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , wherein the puncture head comprises a solid distal tip. 
     
     
         12 . The insertion method according to  claim 11 , wherein the puncture head has a conical distal tip. 
     
     
         13 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , wherein the anatomical compartments are separated by two anatomical walls. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the two anatomical compartments are two anatomically non-adjacent. 
     
     
         15 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , comprising the step of inserting the insertion device into the patient's circulatory system until the puncture head abuts the anatomical wall to be punctured. 
     
     
         16 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , comprising the step of pushing the two anatomical compartments into contact with each other using the insertion device. 
     
     
         17 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , comprising the step of puncturing the wall(s) separating the compartments using the puncture head and guiding a percutanous device(s) through the puncture using the guide wire. 
     
     
         18 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , comprising the step of preventing the puncture head from causing trauma to the patient's anatomy. 
     
     
         19 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , wherein the system is inserted through the femoral artery and/or inferior vena cava. 
     
     
         20 . The insertion method according to  claim 10 , wherein one of the compartments is the left atrium of the heart or the aorta.