This document relates to methods for carrying out medical procedures. More specifically, this document relates to methods for pericardial puncture, and related systems.
The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the detailed description, but not to define or delimit any invention.
Methods for pericardial puncture are disclosed. According to some aspects, a method for pericardial puncture includes: a. contacting a pericardium of a heart of a patient with an electrode of a medical device; and b. while the heart is in a contracted state, delivering radiofrequency energy from the electrode to puncture the pericardium.
The method can further include, prior to step b., delivering a stimulus signal to the heart to force contraction and transient standstill of the heart in the contracted state.
The stimulus signal can be delivered from a pulse generator to the electrode of the medical device. The radiofrequency energy can be delivered from a radiofrequency generator to the electrode. The delivery of radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency generator can be automatic based on the delivery of the stimulus signal and can occur automatically following the delivery of the stimulus signal. The pulse generator can communicate with the radiofrequency generator to coordinate the delivery of the stimulus signal and the delivery of the radiofrequency energy.
In some examples, the stimulus signal is delivered from the electrode of the medical device.
In some examples, the stimulus signal is delivered from a secondary medical device. During delivery of the stimulus signal, the secondary medical device can be spaced from the heart. The method can further include, prior to step a., advancing the electrode towards the heart via an introducer, and the stimulus signal can be delivered from the introducer to the heart.
In some examples, step a. can include applying force to the heart with the electrode. Delivering a stimulus signal to the heart can cause the heart to move away from the electrode to reduce the amount of force applied to the heart with the electrode.
In some examples, the method further includes, prior to step b., using electrocardiography monitoring to determine when the heart is in the contracted state.
In some examples, the method further includes, prior to step b., using medical imaging to determine when the heart is in the contracted state.
Systems of medical devices are also disclosed. According to some aspects, a system of medical devices includes a pulse generator for delivering a stimulus signal, a radiofrequency (RF) generator for delivering RF energy, and a medical device. The medical device includes an elongate shaft and an electrode at a distal end of the shaft. The electrode is electrically connected to the pulse generator for receiving a stimulus signal from the pulse generator and delivering the stimulus signal to a heart to force contraction and transient standstill of the heart. The electrode is electrically connected to the RF generator for receiving RF energy from the RF generator and delivering the RF energy to a tissue of the heart to puncture the tissue.
In some examples, the RF generator is in communication with the pulse generator for coordination of the delivery of the stimulus signal and the RF energy.
In some examples, the elongate shaft includes a wire and a layer of electrical insulation on the wire. The electrode can include an electrically exposed end of the wire. The elongate shaft can be flexible or stiff.
In some examples, the system further includes an introducer through which the medical device is advanceable.
The accompanying drawings are for illustrating examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting. In the drawings:
Various apparatuses or processes or compositions will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter. No example described below limits any claim and any claim may cover processes or apparatuses or compositions that differ from those described below. The claims are not limited to apparatuses or processes or compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus or process or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or processes or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process or composition described below is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application. Any subject matter described below and for which an exclusive right is not granted by issuance of this patent application may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such subject matter by its disclosure in this document.
Generally disclosed herein is a method for pericardial puncture in which puncture occurs while the heart is in a contracted state (i.e. during systole). For example, a stimulus signal can be delivered to the heart to force contraction and transient standstill of the heart in the contracted state. Then, while the heart is in the contracted state, radiofrequency (RF) energy can be delivered to puncture the pericardium. Alternatively, ECG monitoring can be used to determine when the heart is naturally in a contracted state, and while the heart is naturally in the contracted state, radiofrequency (RF) energy can be delivered to puncture the pericardium. Puncturing the pericardium while the heart is in a contracted state can reduce the risk of puncturing deeper tissue within the heart (e.g. the myocardium) and can thus enhance patient safety. More specifically, when using an RF puncture device to puncture the pericardium, the force applied to the heart by the device will vary during beating of the heart. That is, during diastole, the heart will move towards the RF puncture device, increasing the force applied to the heart by the device. In contrast, during systole, the heart will move away from the RF puncture device, decreasing the force applied to the heart by the device. Because the heart moves away from the RF puncture device during systole and the force applied to the heart by the RF puncture device is decreased during systole, puncturing the pericardium during systole can minimize the depth to which the RF puncture device penetrates into the heart (as compared to puncturing during diastole).
Referring now to
In the example shown, the shaft 104 is resiliently flexible. That is, the shaft 104 is biased towards a generally straight configuration, but can be curved or bent with the application of force. When force is removed, the shaft 104 will move back towards a straight configuration.
In alternative examples, the shaft can be relatively stiff (e.g. the shaft can be of a similar stiffness to a needle).
Referring back to
The pulse generator 116 can generate a stimulus signal, and the electrode 110 can receive the stimulus signal and deliver the stimulus signal to a tissue with which the electrode 110 is in contact (e.g. the pericardium). When delivered to the heart, the stimulus signal can force contraction and transient standstill of the heart in a contracted state (e.g. the stimulus signal can be a rapid pacing signal). The pulse generator 116 can be, for example, one sold by GE Healthcare under the brand name Micropace.
The RF generator 118 can generate RF energy and the electrode 110 can receive the RF energy from the RF generator 118 and deliver the RF energy to the tissue with which the electrode 110 is in contact (e.g. the pericardium). When delivered to the tissue, the RF energy can cause puncture of the tissue. The RF generator 118 can be, for example, one sold by Baylis Medical Company Inc. (Montreal, Canada). The RF generator 118 can be connected to one or more grounding pads (not shown).
Referring still to
Referring now to
Referring first to
Once the electrode 110 is in contact with the pericardium 302 and in the position shown in
While the heart 300 and medical device 102 are in the configuration shown in
After the pericardium 302 has been punctured and after the delivery of RF energy has been stopped, the medical device 102 can be further advanced into the pericardial space 304, and can be used as a guidewire in further steps of the medical procedure.
In the example described above, the pulse generator 116 is electrically connected to the medical device 102, and the stimulus signal is delivered from the pulse generator to the electrode 110 and from the electrode 110 to the heart 300. In alternative examples, a secondary medical device can be electrically connected to the pulse generator 116, and the stimulus signal can be delivered from the secondary medical device to the heart 300. Furthermore, the secondary medical device may be spaced from the heart 300 during delivery of the stimulus signal (i.e. the secondary medical device need not be in contact with the heart 300). For example, the introducer 122 can include a stimulus electrode and can be electrically connected to the pulse generator 116, and the stimulus signal can be delivered from the stimulus electrode of the introducer 122 to the heart 300.
In the example described above, in order to ensure or facilitate delivery of RF energy when the heart 300 is in the contracted state, the heart 300 is forced into the contracted state by delivery of a stimulus signal. In alternative examples, delivery of a stimulus signal can be omitted, and delivery of RF energy can be coordinated with the natural rhythm of the heart. For example, medical imaging (e.g. fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and/or echocardiography) and/or electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring can be used to determine when the heart 300 is in a contracted state and/or to predict when the heart 300 will be in a contracted state. In the case of ECG monitoring, the ECG monitoring can optionally be done via the medical device 102 - i.e. the electrode 110 can also serve as an ECG electrode, and can receive ECG signals from the heart 300 and deliver the ECG signals to an ECG monitoring system (not shown). The ECG monitoring system can optionally be in communication with the RF generator 118, in order to coordinate delivery of RF energy with ECG monitoring, and delivery of RF energy can be automatic based on the ECG signals received from the heart 300. More specifically, delivery of RF energy can optionally occur automatically when the ECG monitoring system determines that the heart 300 is contracted. For example, the ECG monitoring system can detect the beginning of the RR interval in the heart 300, and the RF generator 118 can automatically deliver RF energy at the beginning of the RR interval (e.g. for up to 0.4 seconds, or for between 0.1 and 0.4 seconds). Alternatively, a user can read the ECG monitoring system to determine that the heart 300 is contracted, and manually initiate delivery of RF energy.
In examples wherein ECG monitoring is used to determine or predict when the heart 300 is in a contracted state, the ECG monitoring system can be configured to distinguish isovolumetric contraction, ejection, isovolumetric relaxation, rapid inflow, diastasis, and atrial systole.
While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses or compositions, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses or compositions may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
To the extent any amendments, characterizations, or other assertions previously made (in this or in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child) with respect to any art, prior or otherwise, could be construed as a disclaimer of any subject matter supported by the present disclosure of this application, Applicant hereby rescinds and retracts such disclaimer. Applicant also respectfully submits that any prior art previously considered in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child, may need to be re-visited.
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/162021/056368, filed Jul. 14, 2021, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERICARDIAL PUNCTURE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/052,999, filed Jul. 17, 2020, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERICARDIAL PUNCTURE,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63052999 | Jul 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/IB2021/056368 | Jul 2021 | US |
Child | 18155478 | US |