Patent ID: 8996133
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for placing a lead at a target site on an epicardial surface of a heart using a minimally-invasive delivery procedure, the epicardial surface of the heart having a convex shape and being surrounded by a pericardial sac, an inner surface of the pericardial sac conforming to the epicardial surface and defining a concave shape, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the surface of the heart, wherein the distal end portion includes a distal end of the elongated body, the distal end portion having a non-circular portion extending along at least a part of the distal end portion and the distal end portion defining a contact surface configured to contact and conform to the epicardial surface, wherein the non-circular portion has a non-circular axial cross-sectional shape, the non-circular portion gradually tapering in a distal direction from a proximal end of the non-circular portion to the distal end of the elongated body such that the distal end portion forms a tapered leading end that is adapted to facilitate advancement of the distal end portion through a pericardial space located between the convex epicardial surface and the concave pericardial inner surface, wherein the distal outlet is defined entirely in the non-circular portion, and wherein the distal end portion includes an expandable member configured to bias the distal outlet against the epicardial surface; at least one steering member extending through the elongated body from the distal end portion to a more proximal portion of the body, the steering member being adapted to move the distal end portion of the body in at least one plane when force is applied to the steering member at the proximal end portion the body; and a steering collar accessible to a user and axially spaced from the distal end portion of the body and concentrically and circumferentially supported around the proximal end portion of the body, the collar being in operative engagement with the at least one steering member and adapted so that movement of the steering collar causes movement of the distal end portion.