System and method for carrying out a medical procedure

1. A perforation device for use in transseptal perforation procedures, comprising:

a shaft, the shaft having a proximal portion and an opposed distal portion, the distal portion including a distal face;

a dilator associated with the distal portion, positioned within the shaft;

a perforating tip, comprising a radio frequency perforation electrode, associated with the distal portion and protruding from the distal face;

at least a first light emitter, defining an illumination end associated with the distal portion and positioned proximate the perforating tip for illuminating a region surrounding the perforating tip, wherein the illumination end is disposed on the distal face surrounding the perforating tip; and

at least a first light collector associated with the distal portion and positioned proximate the perforating tip for collecting light from the region surrounding the perforating tip.

2. The perforation device of claim 1 , further comprising at least a first illumination optical fiber extending through the shaft from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the illumination optical fiber having a source end for receiving light from a light source and the illumination end proximate the perforating tip, wherein the illumination end forms the light emitter.

3. The perforation device of claim 1 , further comprising at least a first collection optical fiber extending through the shaft from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the collection optical fiber having a light collection end that forms the light collector, and a sensor end for delivering light to a light sensor.

4. The perforation device of claim 1 , wherein the light collector is in the form of a light sensor associated with the distal portion of the shaft.

5. The perforation device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination end is shrouded within the shaft, and the perforation device further comprises a light scattering material between the illumination end and an opening in the shaft for directing light from the illumination end to an exterior of the shaft.

6. The perforation device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination end is distally facing.

7. The perforation device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination end is recessed proximally from a distal end face of the shaft.

8. The perforation device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination end is flush with a distal end face of the shaft.

9. A medical system for providing transseptal punctures, the medical system comprising:

a perforation device comprising i) a shaft, the shaft having a proximal portion and an opposed distal portion, the distal portion including a distal face that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, ii) a perforating tip comprising a radiofrequency perforation electrode, the perforating tip associated with the distal portion, and iii); at least a first light emitter associated with the distal face of the distal portion and positioned proximate the perforating tip for illuminating a region surrounding the perforating tip; and

an analysis system for analyzing returned light that is returned back towards the shaft from the region surrounding the perforating tip, the analysis system comprising a light sensor configured to detect one or more parameters of the returned light, a processor configured to perform an analysis of the one or more parameters, and an alert system connected to the processor for alerting a user to a result of the analysis.

10. The medical system of claim 9 , further comprising a light source, and at least a first illumination optical fiber extending through the shaft from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the illumination optical fiber having a source end connected to the light source for receiving light from the light source, and an illumination end positioned proximate the perforating tip and forming the light emitter.

11. The medical system of claim 9 wherein the perforation device further comprises a first collection optical fiber extending through the shaft from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the collection optical fiber having a light collection end for collecting the returned light, and a sensor end for delivering light to the sensor.

12. The medical system of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is mounted to the distal portion of the shaft.

13. The medical system of claim 9 , wherein one of the one or more parameters of analysis of the returned light is whether blood in the region surrounding the perforating tip is oxygenated blood or deoxygenated blood.

14. The medical system of claim 9 , wherein

the medical system further comprises a radio frequency generator connected to the radiofrequency perforation electrode for powering the radiofrequency perforation electrode; and

the generator is in communication with the analysis system and is configured to provide power to the radiofrequency perforation electrode based on the analysis.

15. The medical system of claim 14 , wherein the generator is configured to cease providing power to the radiofrequency perforation electrode if the analysis indicates that the region surrounding the perforating tip contains oxygenated blood.

16. A method for carrying out a transeptal puncture medical procedure, comprising:

a. positioning a perforating tip of a puncture device adjacent target region within a patient's body, wherein the perforating tip comprises a radiofrequency perforation electrode, wherein the distal portion including a distal face that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

b. advancing the perforating tip through the target region;

c. advancing a dilator associated with the perforating tip through the target region;

d. before, during and/or after step b., illuminating a region surrounding the perforating tip with light from a light emitter associated with the distal face, collecting light returned from the region surrounding the perforating tip, and analyzing the returned light.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising ceasing advancement of the perforating tip if the analysis of the returned light indicates that the region surrounding the perforating tip contains oxygenated blood.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising continuing or repeating advancement of the perforating tip if the analysis of the returned light indicates that the region surrounding the perforating tip contains deoxygenated blood.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein step b. comprises delivering radiofrequency energy to the perforating tip to puncture the target region.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising ceasing the delivery of radiofrequency energy if the analysis of the returned light indicates that the region surrounding the perforating tip contains oxygenated blood.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the target region is a fossa ovalis.