US 11,730,515 B2
Transseptal access device and method of use
Christopher Gerard Kunis, Escondido, CA (US)
Assigned to MARK D. WIECZOREK, PC, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by MARK D. WIECZOREK, PC, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/886,623.
Application 14/567,427 is a division of application No. 13/093,546, filed on Apr. 25, 2011, granted, now 8,940,008, issued on Jan. 27, 2015.
Application 17/886,623 is a continuation of application No. 17/480,385, filed on Sep. 21, 2021, granted, now 11,419,633.
Application 17/480,385 is a continuation of application No. 16/282,366, filed on Feb. 22, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/282,366 is a continuation of application No. 14/667,155, filed on Mar. 24, 2015, granted, now 10,220,134, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Application 14/667,155 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/567,427, filed on Dec. 11, 2014, granted, now 10,307,569, issued on Jun. 4, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/969,453, filed on Mar. 24, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/443,483, filed on Feb. 16, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/359,674, filed on Jun. 29, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/327,542, filed on Apr. 23, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0378473 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61M 5/00 (2006.01); A61M 5/158 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/30 (2006.01); A61M 25/06 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3478 (2013.01) [A61M 5/00 (2013.01); A61M 5/158 (2013.01); A61M 25/00 (2013.01); A61M 25/0074 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00247 (2013.01); A61B 2017/306 (2013.01); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02); A61M 25/0082 (2013.01); A61M 2005/1585 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0681 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly for transseptal access, comprising:
a steerable sheath including an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end;
an inflatable funnel coupled to the elongated member at the distal end, the inflatable funnel substantially collapsed against the elongated member in a retracted configuration, the inflatable funnel further having an inflated configuration caused by inflation using an inflation lumen;
such that the elongated member and the inflatable funnel are configured to be delivered to a septal location, and such that upon inflation the funnel is configured to transition from the retracted configuration to the inflated configuration; and
a piercing element movable in distal and proximal directions through the elongated member, the piercing element to pierce the septum when the funnel is in the inflated configuration and contacting the septum, the piercing element including an activatable radio frequency element, the piercing element to pierce the septum when activated and pushed against the septum,
such that the inflatable funnel provides a stable base for a transseptal puncture to occur, the puncture using the activatable radio frequency element, and such that the inflatable funnel is collapsible during delivery and retraction, and wherein the inflatable funnel is comprised of a polymer and is formed by folding the polymer back on itself.