Patent ID: 8663268

Claim:
A method of delivering an implantable device to a left atrial appendage, comprising: delivering a first sheath comprising an elongate body having a central lumen sized and adapted to deliver an implantable device therethrough, a distal balloon located at a distal end thereof, and an inflation lumen operably connected to the distal balloon to a right atrium; advancing the first sheath distal end through an intraatrial septum and into a left atrium; inflating the distal balloon of the first sheath, thereby providing the first sheath with an atraumatic tip which extends distally beyond the distal end of the first sheath and radially therefrom; advancing the inflated distal balloon into the left atrial appendage and positioning a distal end of the distal balloon against a wall of the left atrial appendage; delivering an implantable device through the first sheath to the left atrial appendage; deflating said distal balloon; and removing said first sheath.