Methods and Devices for Puncturing Tissue

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising an assembly for puncturing a target tissue. The puncture device of the assembly has a distal tip configured to puncture the target tissue and at least one proximal marker, formed on the proximal portion of the puncture device. The supporting member of the assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen for receiving the puncture device. The puncture device is configured to enable advancement and withdrawal of the supporting member overtop of the puncture device. Alignment of the proximal end of the supporting member and the at least one proximal marker of the puncture device occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device protrudes from the distal end of the supporting member.

We claim: 
     
         1 ) An assembly for puncturing a target tissue, the assembly comprising:
 a puncture device having a distal tip configured to puncture the target tissue;   at least one proximal marker formed on a proximal portion of the puncture device;   a supporting member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen configured for receiving the puncture device;   wherein alignment of the proximal end of the supporting member and the at least one proximal marker occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device protrudes from the distal end of the supporting member; and,   wherein the puncture device is configured to enable advancement and withdrawal of the supporting member overtop of the puncture device.   
     
     
         2 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the puncture device comprises a curved distal portion. 
     
     
         3 ) The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the curved distal portion is in a J-shape. 
     
     
         4 ) The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the curved distal portion is in a pig-tail shape. 
     
     
         5 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal tip of the puncture device is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to the target tissue. 
     
     
         6 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal marker comprises a leading edge corresponding to a first position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member, a midpoint corresponding to a second position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member, and a trailing edge corresponding to a third position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
         7 ) The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device is proximal to the distal end of the supporting member, the second position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device is aligned with the distal end of the supporting member, and the third position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device protrudes from the distal end of the supporting member. 
     
     
         8 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal maker comprises a plurality of proximal makers. 
     
     
         9 ) The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of proximal makers indicates a separate relative position of the distal tip of the puncture device and distal end of the supporting member. 
     
     
         10 ) The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of proximal makers comprises a first proximal marker corresponding to a first position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member, a second proximal marker corresponding to a second position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member, and a third proximal marker corresponding to a third position of the puncture device relative to the supporting member. 
     
     
         11 ) The assembly of  claim 10 , the first position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device is proximal to the distal end of the supporting member, the second position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device is aligned with the distal end of the supporting member, and the third position occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device protrudes from the distal end of the supporting member. 
     
     
         12 ) The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of proximal makers corresponds with a particular length of the supporting member. 
     
     
         13 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting member further comprises a radiopaque marker positioned at the distal end of the supporting member. 
     
     
         14 ) The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the radiopaque marker is a radiopaque coil. 
     
     
         15 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the puncture device is a puncturing wire. 
     
     
         16 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the puncture device comprises a layer of insulation overtop of an outer surface of the puncture device and wherein the distal tip of the puncture device comprises an exposed active tip for delivering radiofrequency energy to the target tissue. 
     
     
         17 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the puncture device is constant at, and adjacent to, the at least one proximal maker. 
     
     
         18 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal maker is formed directly on the puncture device by placing a mask at a location along the proximal portion of the puncture device, applying a coating overtop of the puncture device, and removing the mask. 
     
     
         19 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal marker is a different colour than the puncture device. 
     
     
         20 ) The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal maker is configured to provide visual and tactile feedback.