Patent ID: 9724170
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. A method, comprising: positioning a distal end of a first catheter proximate to a first side of a first pericardial reflection of a subject, the first catheter including a proximal portion, the distal end of the first catheter defining a first opening, the first catheter further including a first lumen extending therethrough, the first lumen formed between the opening of the distal end of the first catheter and the proximal portion of the first catheter, the first catheter including a first magnet assembly coupled to the distal end of the first catheter; and positioning a distal end of a second catheter proximate to a second side of the first pericardial reflection, the second catheter including a proximal portion, the distal end of the second catheter defining a second opening, the second catheter further including a second lumen extending therethrough, the second lumen formed between the opening of the distal end of the second catheter and the proximal portion of the second catheter, the second catheter including a second magnet assembly coupled to the distal end of the second catheter, such that the first magnet assembly and the second magnet assembly are magnetically coupled across the first pericardial reflection, and such that the lumen of the first catheter is substantially axially aligned with the lumen of the second catheter; piercing the first pericardial reflection by advancing a needle through the first lumen of the first catheter, through the first pericardial reflection, and into the second lumen of the second catheter to generate a pierced portion in the first pericardial reflection; withdrawing the needle from the second lumen of the second catheter and from the first pericardial reflection; positioning the distal end of the first catheter proximate to a first side of a second pericardial reflection of the subject; positioning the distal end of the second catheter proximate to a second side of the second pericardial reflection; piercing the second pericardial reflection by advancing the needle through the first lumen of the first catheter, through the second pericardial reflection, and into the second lumen of the second catheter to generate a pierced portion in the second pericardial reflection; withdrawing the needle from the second lumen of the second catheter and from the second pericardial reflection; delivering a guidewire through the first lumen of the first catheter, the pierced portion in the first pericardial reflection, the pierced portion in the second pericardial reflection, and the second lumen of the second catheter; withdrawing the first catheter and the second catheter from the body of the subject while leaving the guidewire in place; positioning a third catheter in the pericardial space of the heart of the subject by passing the third catheter over the guidewire, through the pierced portion of the first pericardial reflection and through the pierced portion of the second pericardial reflection, such that a central portion of the third catheter at least partially encircles the left pulmonary veins and the right pulmonary veins, the central portion of the third catheter including a set of electrodes; and delivering electrical energy to at least a portion of the left atrium of the heart of the subject using two or more electrodes of the set of electrodes.