Patent ID: 6890295

Claim:
A method for accessing an anatomic space within the body between an inner tissue layer and an outer tissue layer having an outer tissue layer outer surface comprising: applying the distal end of a tubular access sleeve having a sleeve wall extending between a sleeve proximal end and a sleeve distal end and surrounding a sleeve access lumen extending between a sleeve access lumen proximal end opening and a sleeve access lumen distal end opening, the sleeve wall supporting a plurality of suction ports arrayed around the sleeve access lumen distal end opening against the outer surface of the outer tissue layer; applying suction through the plurality of suction ports to a plurality of portions of the outer tissue layer; introducing a perforation instrument through the sleeve access lumen to the outer surface of the outer tissue layer; and perforating the outer tissue layer to form an access perforation into the anatomic space while the applied suction stabilizes the outer tissue layer, whereby further treatment drugs and devices can be introduced into the anatomic space through the sleeve access lumen.