Closure devices, related delivery methods, and related methods of use

Abstract

A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor preferably also includes a plurality of arms and preferably-does not include-a-cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, passing through the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale in a heart, related methods and devices for delivering such closure devices, and related methods of using such closure devices for sealing the passageway. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004]FIG. 1 shows a portion of a heart in longitudinal section, with the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) shown. FIG. 1 also shows the septum primum (SP), a flap-like structure, which normally covers the foramen ovale, an opening in the septum secundum (SS) of the heart. In utero, the foramen ovale serves as a physiologic conduit for right-to-left shunting of blood in the fetal heart. After birth, with the establishment of pulmonary circulation, the increased left atrial blood flow and pressure presses the septum primum (SP) against the walls of the septum secundum (SS), co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, the device for sealing a passageway in a human body comprises a first anchor adapted to be placed proximate a first end of the passageway, the first anchor including a plurality of first loop structures, each first loop structure having a first end connected to the first anchor and a second free end, a second anchor adapted to be placed proximate a second end of the passageway, the second anchor including a plurality of second loop structures, and a flexible elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the first and second anchors, the elongate member capable of moving through the second anchor to vary a length of the elongate member between the first and second anchors.

[0023] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a device for closing a passageway in a heart comprises a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart and including a plurality of uncovered arms, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart and including a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the plurality of arms, a flexible elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors, the elongate member having a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor, and a lock for preventing proximal movement of the right atrial anchor relative to the flexible elongate member.

Problems solved by technology

It is believed that embolism via a PFO may be a cause of a significant number of ischemic strokes, particularly in relatively young patients.

These therapies may lead to certain side effects, including hemorrhaging.

Like other open surgical treatments, this surgery is highly invasive, risky, requires general anesthesia, and may result in lengthy recuperation.

Many of these conventional devices used for ASDs, however, are technically complex, bulky, and difficult to deploy in a precise location.

In addition, such devices may be difficult or impossible to retrieve and / or reposition should initial positioning not be satisfactory.

Moreover, these devices are specially designed for ASDs and therefore may not be suitable to close and seal a PFO, particularly because the septum primum (SP) overlaps the septum secundum (SS).

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