Energy based devices and methods for treatment of patent foramen ovale

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monoploar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 679,245 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-000200US), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.: 60 / 458,854 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-000100US (formerly 020979-002100US)), filed Mar. 27, 2003; 60 / 478,035 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-00011US (formerly 020979-0021 1US)), filed Jun. 11, 2003; and 60 / 490,082 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-000120US (formerly 020979-002120US)), filed Jul. 24, 2003, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 665,974 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-000300US (formerly 020979-002600US)), filed Sep. 18, 2003, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention generally relates to medical devices and methods. More specifically, the invention relates to energy based devices and metho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further includes retracting a sheath portion of the guide catheter to expose an expanding member within the PFO, the exposed expanding member bringing the tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together. Such an expanding member may provide lateral force to the tissues adjacent the PFO, for example, and in some embodiments will do so without extending into the left atrium. As is explained further below, such expanding members may comprise “fishmouth,” two-pronged members in one embodiment, and may be constructed of shape memory materials, spring-loaded materials or the like. By spreading PFO tissues laterally between two prongs (for example), the tissues come together in the area between the p

Problems solved by technology

A substantially closed PFO, however, may still have one or more small gaps or ope

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