초록 ▼

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 pas

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 also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end of fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, releasably connected to the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of delivering a closure device to a patent foramen ovale in a heart, comprising: advancing a catheter into the right atrium of the heart; advancing the catheter through the patent foramen ovale into the left atrium of the heart; deploying a first anchor of the clos

What is claimed is: 1. A method of delivering a closure device to a patent foramen ovale in a heart, comprising: advancing a catheter into the right atrium of the heart; advancing the catheter through the patent foramen ovale into the left atrium of the heart; deploying a first anchor of the closure device in the left atrium; withdrawing the catheter into the right atrium of the heart; deploying a second anchor of the closure device in the right atrium, wherein deploying the second anchor includes deploying a flexible elongate member passing through the second anchor and having a first end connected to the first anchor; and positioning the second anchor, wherein positioning the second anchor includes moving the second anchor along the flexible elongate member toward the septum secundum by advancing a positioning catheter connected to the second anchor, and wherein advancing the positioning catheter includes inflating a balloon in contact with a releasable fixation mechanism of the closure device. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the first anchor within the left atrium prior to deploying the second anchor. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein positioning the first anchor includes pivoting the first anchor with respect to the flexible elongate member. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein positioning the first anchor further includes pulling the flexible elongate member in a proximal direction to seat the first anchor against the septum primum. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein positioning the first anchor further includes pulling the flexible elongate member in a proximal direction to seat the first anchor against the septum primum and the septum secundum. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein positioning the first anchor further includes pulling the flexible elongate member in a proximal direction to seat the first anchor against the septum primum and to bring the septum primum into sealing contact with the septum secundum. 7. The method of claim 3, further including testing the effectiveness of the positioning of the first anchor prior to deploying the second anchor. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein withdrawing the catheter into the right atrium of the heart includes deploying a flexible elongate member having a first end connected to the first anchor into the patent foramen ovale. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the second anchor in the right atrium includes deploying the second anchor a substantial distance away from the septum secundum, such that the second anchor does not contact the septum secundum as it is deployed. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the second anchor includes expanding the second anchor from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the second anchor. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealingly contacting the septum secundum with the second anchor. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising fixing the second anchor to the flexible elongate member subsequent to sealingly contacting the septum secundum. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein fixing the second anchor includes deflating the balloon in contact with the releasable fixation mechanism of the closure device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein fixing the second anchor further includes piercing the flexible elongate member with at least one pin of the releasable fixation mechanism. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising severing the flexible elongate member adjacent the second anchor after fixing the second anchor to the flexible elongate member.