| abstract |
A catheter for penetrating and expanding a passage from a first body lumen to a second body lumen includes a catheter body, a tapered dilating tip at the distal end of the catheter body, and a central passage in the catheter body. A reciprocating needle provided, a deployable fixator provided near the distal end of the needle, and a track formed in a groove at the distal end of the catheter body and formed axially along the needle Including an advanceable blade. To advance the first needle and advance the dilator beyond the needle, subsequently deploy the fixator, apply proximal tension to hold adjacent tissue layers together, and then fully expand the passageway With the exposed blade and dilator advancement, the catheter can be used to penetrate the adjacent lumen wall. |