Patent ID: 7947040
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of surgical perforation via the delivery of electrical, radiant or thermal energy comprising the steps of: (i) introducing an apparatus comprising an energy delivery device into a patient's heart via said patient's superior vena cava, said apparatus further comprising at least one pressure sensing mechanism selected from the group consisting of a pressure-transmitting lumen and a pressure transducer; (ii) positioning said energy delivery device at a first location adjacent material to be perforated; (iii) perforating said material by delivering energy via said energy delivery device; (iv) advancing said energy delivery device to a second location through the perforation, said second location being a left atrium of said patient's heart; and (v) measuring pressure at said second location; wherein said energy is selected from the group consisting of electrical energy, radiant energy and thermal energy.