Patent ID: 6475222
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
Instrumentation for facilitating penetration of a side wall of a tubular body tissue conduit from the interior lumen of the conduit comprising:a tubular structure which is axially insertable into and along the lumen of the conduit and which has an axial portion configured to deflect toward a first portion of the interior surface of the side wall from a second portion of the interior surface of the side wall which is axially spaced from the first portion and on the side of the side wall which is substantially opposite the first portion, the tubular structure having an axially extending interior passageway with an opening to the exterior of the tubular structure adjacent the first portion; and a laterally flexible, longitudinal, tissue piercing structure configured to pierce a side wall of the tubular body tissue conduit and to project from the side wall through any adjacent tissue outside of the tubular body tissue conduit, wherein said tissue piercing structure is axially insertable into and along the passageway and which is axially reciprocable relative to the tubular structure so that it exits the opening toward the first portion when moved toward the opening; wherein the axial portion is an axially medial portion of the tubular structure which is configured to arch toward the first portion from the second portion and from a third portion of the interior surface of the side wall which is on the same side of the side wall as the second portion, the second and third portions being axially spaced from the first portion in respective opposite axial directions from the first portion.