Patent ID: 7963947
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for introducing a sharp tip of a transseptal guidewire, the apparatus comprising: a transseptal guidewire; a transseptal needle having a hub and a lumen; a holder configured to contain the transseptal guidewire; and a shield coupled to the holder, the shield having a wall defining a lumen sized to accommodate the sharp tip of the transseptal guidewire, the cross-sectional shape of the wall being constant along a length that is sized to fit within the lumen of the transseptal needle, thereby inhibiting contact between the sharp tip of the transseptal guidewire and the hub of the transseptal needle when the wall of the shield is positioned to extend into the lumen of the transseptal needle; wherein the wall of the shield along at least the distal portion of its length has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the lumen of the transseptal needle; wherein the lumen of the shield has a substantially constant cross-sectional area along at least a portion of its length between proximal and distal ends of the shield, thereby facilitating insertion of the sharp tip of the transseptal guidewire through the lumen of the shield; and wherein an outer surface of the wall of the shield is cylindrical along the length that is sized to fit within the lumen of the transseptal needle, thereby facilitating insertion of the shield into the lumen of the transseptal needle.