US 12,343,074 B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for perforating tissue structures
Eric Douglas Sauter, Carlsbad, CA (US); Steven Richard Mickelsen, Iowa City, IA (US); and Jay Lee Kelley, Encinitas, CA (US)
Assigned to Atraverse Medical, Inc., Cardiff, CA (US)
Filed by ATRAVERSE MEDICAL INC., Cardiff, IA (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/444,623.
Application 18/444,623 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2023/086043, filed on Dec. 27, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/586,940, filed on Sep. 29, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/435,659, filed on Dec. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0216047 A1, Jul. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1492 (2013.01) [A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00095 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00148 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00178 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00357 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00714 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00767 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1475 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
extending a distal tip of a guidewire disposed within an insulating sheath a first distance distal to a distal end of the insulating sheath, the guidewire including a conductive outer region and an insulating collar disposed between the distal tip and the conductive outer region, the distal tip of the guidewire and the distal end of the insulating sheath being disposed proximate to a septum of a heart of a patient;
disposing the distal tip of the guidewire against the septum;
delivering, after disposing the distal tip of the guidewire against the septum, radiofrequency (RF) energy to the septum via the distal tip;
further extending the distal tip of the guidewire distally while delivering the RF energy to form a perforation in the septum; and
in response to extending the distal tip of the guidewire a second distance distal to the distal end of the insulating sheath, exposing the insulating collar and at least a portion of the conductive outer region of the guidewire such that an exposed surface area of the portion of the conductive outer region reduces a RF current density around the distal tip of the guidewire.