Patent ID: 7727268

Claim:
An apparatus for delivering a fistula device into a wall of a patient's heart to place the fistula device in fluid communication with a heart chamber, the apparatus comprising: an elongate cover member having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongate support member slidably disposed within the cover member and comprising, at a distal end, a first elongate limb and a second limb shorter than the first elongate limb, the first and second limbs forming an L-shaped member; a fistula device being supported by the elongate support member, the second limb of the elongate support member being disposed distal to the fistula device and being configured to push the fistula device proximally upon proximal movement of the elongate support member; and a removable retaining sheath overlying at least a portion of the fistula device wherein the fistula device is transformable from a collapsed state to an expanded state when the retaining sheath is removed; wherein the fistula device or the retaining sheath comprises a penetrating tip at a proximal end of the fistula device or retaining sheath, the penetrating tip being configured to penetrate the wall of the heart upon proximal movement of the elongate support member to facilitate passage of the fistula device therethrough; and wherein, in use, the elongate cover member is moveable along the support member so as to release the fistula device from the delivery apparatus to permit delivery of the fistula device to a desired location in the wall of the heart.