Patent ID: 8029470

Claim:
A transmembrane access system, comprising: a stabilizer sheath including a tubular configuration with an inner lumen extending therein and including a side port which is disposed on a distal section of the sheath, which is configured to allow passage of a guide catheter therethrough and which is in communication with the inner lumen; a tubular guide catheter including a shaped distal section that has a curved configuration in a relaxed state and an outer surface which is configured to move axially within a portion of the inner lumen of the stabilizer sheath that extends from the proximal end of the stabilizer sheath to the side port; a tissue penetration member which is configured to move axially within an inner lumen of the tubular guide catheter and which is axially extendable from the guide catheter for membrane penetration and an obturator sheath comprising an elongate tubular member having an inner lumen configured to accommodate axial movement of a guidewire therein and having an outer surface profile that is configured to occupy the inner lumen and side port of the stabilizer sheath during initial deployment of the stabilizer sheath in a patient's body.