Patent ID: 8538555
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61N

Abstract:
1. A transpericardial method of accessing an interior of a heart, comprising: routing a distal portion of an implantable cardiac lead into a pericardial space of the heart, wherein routing a distal portion of an implantable cardiac lead into a pericardial space comprises routing the distal portion of the lead from an interior chamber of the heart through myocardial tissue and into the pericardial space, wherein routing a distal portion of an implantable cardiac lead into a pericardial space of the heart comprises using a piercing member to create a hole for the lead through the myocardial tissue from the interior chamber to the pericardial space, and wherein the piercing member comprises a spring that expands from a distal end of the piercing member as the piercing member passes into the pericardial space; sensing electrical signals via an electrode of the spring to determine when the spring passes into the pericardial space; and routing the distal portion of the lead from the pericardial space through myocardial tissue and into a chamber or vasculature of the heart.