Method and apparatus for occluding a physiological opening

Abstract

A method and apparatus for suture-less placement of an occluding patch in which release of the device can be accelerated. In one embodiment, an inactive form of an adhesive is applied on the area of the patch that will come into contact with cardiac tissue; this allows for the introduction and necessary manipulation of the catheter system until activation of the adhesive occurs. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adhesive properties of certain polymeric materials are relied upon rather than their ability to cure or harden into a specific shape. In another embodiment, the patch is immediately released utilizing a detaching mechanism on the balloon or the balloon catheter which supports the patch; the patch along with the inflated balloon remain on the cardiac structure occluding the opening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application claims the priority of prior provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61 / 270,455 filed on Jul. 9, 2009, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to cardiovascular devices, intended to occlude circulatory communications that may be or may become detrimental to patient health. More specifically, this invention encompasses accelerated release methods for an occlusion methodology involving sutureless delivery of an occlusion patch to a physiological opening.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Compromised health may be caused by cardiovascular structures that adversely affect the proper flow of blood. Such structures may be abnormalities that affect a relatively small subset of the population, and others may be common and not normally pathogenic, yet become so due to extrinsic causes. Examples of the former are congenital heart defects including...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In view of the foregoing and other considerations, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for suture-less placement of an occluding patch in which release of the device can be accelerated. The importance and potential of the invention is significant, since the defects are corrected conveniently on an outpatient basis and potential complications such as thrombosis or infection are diminished.

[0010]Those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that accelerated patch attachment using an adhesive or immediate patch release using temporary support of a bio-absorbable thread can find several other applications, including but not limited to heart valves, internal vascular work and even coronary artery surgery. Furthermore, surgeons could use the suture-less technique to avoid suture related injury during surgery.

Problems solved by technology

Compromised health may be caused by cardiovascular structures that adversely affect the proper flow of blood.

Such structures may be abnormalities that affect a relatively small subset of the population, and others may be common and not normally pathogenic, yet become so due to extrinsic causes.

Congenital heart defects can cause an abnormal distribution of cardiovascular pressures and the dilution of oxygenated blood, which can significantly reduce cardiac pumping efficiency.

Although metallic occlusive devices are widely used, they carry certain risks including wire fractures, perforations, and potential leaching of toxic materials.

The extended period of time required for completion of this process makes the procedure inconvenient compared with other occlusive techniques and devices.

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