Patent ID: 7462184

Claim:
A precurved coronary sinus guiding introducer for use in a dilated cardiomyopathic heart comprising: a flexible elongated member with a proximal and distal end, wherein the elongated member comprises a generally straight, proximal portion and a precurved distal portion, the proximal portion and distal portion formed to lie is a common plane, wherein the precurved distal portion comprises at least one curved proximal subportion and at least one curved or straight distal subportion, the precurved distal portion curving through a generally circular arc defined by a chord of predetermined length, and wherein the precurved distal portion has a predetermined height above the chord, and the curved or straight distal subportion being the distal most section of the precurved distal portion, wherein the distal most section of the precurved distal portion is generally oriented in a direction parallel to the straight, proximal portion; wherein the chord of the precurved distal portion has a length measured on a perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion between the beginning of the precurved distal portion where it meets the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion and a longitudinal axis of the opposing end of the precurved distal portion drawn parallel to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion, and wherein the chord has the predetermined length of approximately 3.5 to 7 inches; wherein the predetermined height above the chord is approximately 1.5 inches to 4.0 inches, and wherein the curved or straight distal subportion is approximately 0.5 to 4.5 inches in length; and wherein the precurved distal portion has a minimal length of approximately 7.2 inches such that the distal end of the elongate member readily accesses the coronary sinus ostium in the dilated cardiomyopathic heart.