CPC A61B 18/1492 (2013.01) [A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0022 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00351 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00773 (2013.01); A61B 2218/001 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0247 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A method of creating a transseptal puncture, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) introducing an electrosurgical device into a body of a patient, the electrosurgical device comprising a flexible, tubular, elongate member defining an electrically conductive sidewall for delivering electrical energy therethrough, the electrosurgical device defining a lumen in fluid communication with a distal aperture, the electrosurgical device further comprising an electrode disposed distal to the elongate member and an electrically conductive spacer which is radiopaque at a distal tip of the electrosurgical device, the electrically conductive spacer being in electrical communication with and connected to the electrode, the electrode and the elongate member being connected by an insulation layer which has a tubular configuration;
wherein the electrically conductive spacer is cylindrical and includes a center bore receiving an intermediate conductive element extending between the electrically conductive spacer and the electrode;
(ii) positioning the electrode at a first desired location in the patient's body which is adjacent a material to be cut by monitoring the electrically conductive spacer which is radiopaque with an imaging system;
(iii) delivering energy using the electrode to cut the material; and
(iv) measuring pressure in the body using the pressure sensing mechanism which is in fluid communication with the lumen in order to determine a position of the electrosurgical device before and/or after step (iii).
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