Patent ID: 6039727
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for forming a channel into a ventricular wall of a patient's heart comprising:a) an elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section, a distal shaft section and a distal end;b) at least one optical probe member disposed on the distal end of the shaft which has a proximal end, a distal end, and an energy emitting surface disposed on the distal end, said energy emitting surface configured for engaging the ventricular wall of the patient's heart, emitting laser energy, forming a channel therein, and mechanically penetrating said channel; andc) at least one radially expandable member secured to the optical probe member having a penetration limiting surface when in an unconstricted state, the entire penetration limiting surface being spaced proximally from the energy emitting surface of the optical probe member and the penetration limiting surface being configured to limit penetration of the energy emitting surface of the optical probe member into the ventricular wall during formation of the channel therein to a distance substantially equal to a distance between the energy emitting surface and the penetration limiting surface.