Patent ID: 7618430

Claim:
A method for puncturing the atrial septum of a patient comprising: inserting into the right atrium of the patient a distal end of a dilator comprising: an elongated dilator body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, a handle mounted at the proximal end of the dilator body, the handle comprising a side wall and an opening in the side wall, a control button slidably connected to the outside of the handle, a needle extending through the lumen of the dilator body, having a distal end comprising a needle tip section and a proximal end, and an arm connecting the control button to the needle, the arm being fixedly connected at one end to the control button and fixedly connected at the other end to the needle, the end of the arm connected to the control button extending through an opening in the side wall of the handle, the end of the arm connected to the needle extending through an elongated slot in a longitudinal side of the dilator body and into the lumen in the dilator body, wherein the arm is longitudinally slidable within the elongated slot in the longitudinal side of the dilator body, a stopper attached to the handle distal the arm to limit movement of the arm distal the stopper, wherein a position of the stopper relative to the arm is adjustable, wherein distal movement of the control button relative to the handle and dilator body causes the needle to move from a retracted position, wherein the needle tip is disposed within the lumen of the dilator body, to a protruding position, wherein the needle tip protrudes beyond the distal end of the dilator body; locating, with the distal end of the dilator body, a position on the atrial septum to be punctured; advancing the needle tip distally beyond the distal end of the dilator body; and puncturing the atrial septum with the needle tip.