Patent ID: 8403858

Claim:
An interventional medical device for pericardial access configured to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures comprising at least one ultrasound transducer, the device comprising an elongate body having no exterior delivery catheter or sheath configured to facilitate entry of a catheter through skin tissue of a human body, the elongate body configured to be introduced directly through a chest of the human body to the pericardium after a small stab incision on the skin during use of the device, the elongate body having proximal and distal ends, the elongate body having a tapered tip at the distal end, the elongate body configured to be a conduit from a skin surface of the chest to a target site proximate the pericardium during use of the device; an insertable needle configured to puncture an internal wall of the human body proximate the target site during use of the device; a plurality of lumen extending through the elongate body, one lumen extending through the elongate body having an end aperture at a distal tip of the tapered tip of the elongate body, the one lumen adapted to receive the insertable needle during use of the device, the insertable needle configured to puncture the target site as the needle extends from the end aperture during use of the device; said at least one ultrasound transducer being located at an outer periphery of the tapered tip of the elongate body and proximally located near the distal end in relation to the end aperture and oriented and configured to provide images for guidance of movement of the elongate body from the chest to the target site proximate the pericardium of the human body and images of said needle puncture of the human body wall during use of the device; and an anchoring portion near the proximal end of the elongate body for maintaining a proper position during use of the device.