Pericardial anchoring system

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for cardiac device anchoring and more specifically to accessing and anchoring in the pericardial space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for placement in a heart wall and pericardial space operable to provide access to the pericardial space from a chamber of a heart and/or operable to be an anchor for devices coupled thereto, comprising:
 a body defining a lumen operable to extend through the heart wall;   a head at a distal end of the body operable to extend into the pericardial space, the head including movable elements operable to move from a low profile predeployed configuration to a high profile deployed configuration, the head defining an eyelet that is in fluid communication with the lumen so as to define an access channel operable to provide a fluid passage between the chamber of the heart and the pericardial space; and   the base further comprising a retention member operable to retain the base in the heart wall.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the movable elements are operable to buttress a parietal pericardium when the movable members attain a high profile in the deployed configuration and wherein the retention member cooperates to engage the movable elements into abutment with the parietal pericardium. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the movable elements include expander members operable to abut the pericardium so as to enlarge a pericardial space. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the movable elements include expander members operable to abut the pericardium so as to enlarge a pericardial space. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet is operable to expel or withdraw fluid or gas from a pericardial space using a device in communication with the lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet is operable to be a pressure port operable to measure pressure with a pressure sensing device. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the access channel is operable for receiving and allowing the passage of devices therethrough between a ventricular side of the heart to the pericardial space. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet is operable to resiliently deform between open and closed configurations, wherein in the closed configuration the access channel is occluded to prevent fluid passage through the access channel. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the head further includes an occluding element operable to resiliently move between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position the access channel is occluded to prevent fluid passage through the access channel. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprises an occluding plug operable to be placed in the access channel so as to occlude the access channel to prevent fluid passage through the access channel. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is operable to couple with other devices or tissues of the heart. 
     
     
         12 . A method of implanting a tool for placement in a heart wall and pericardial space operable to provide access to the pericardial space from a chamber of a heart and/or operable to be an anchor for devices coupled thereto, comprising: providing the tool, comprising:
 a body defining a lumen operable to extend through the heart wall;   a head at a distal end of the body operable to extend into the pericardial space, the head including movable elements operable to move from a low profile predeployed configuration to a high profile deployed configuration, the head defining an eyelet that is in fluid communication with the lumen so as to define an access channel operable to provide a fluid passage between the chamber of the heart and the pericardial space; and   the base further comprising a retention member operable to retain the base in the heart wall providing a delivery system operable for endovascular epicardial access, the delivery system including a steerable catheter and a delivery catheter;   inserting the delivery system into the patient using a transvenous, transarterial, transseptal, transatrial, or transaortic approach;   advancing the delivery catheter onto which the tool is coupled into the myocardium and extending the head of the tool into the pericardial space.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the delivery system further includes a guidewire and/or needle, the method including:
 advancing the guidewire or needle through the delivery catheter and extending through the tool into the myocardium and into the pericardial space; and advancing the tool over the guidewire or needle.