Articulated center post

Abstract

This invention relates to an occlusion device for the heart, having an articulated center post which prevents rotation of the individual occluder elements around the center post, while allowing the device to better conform to the contours of the heart to increase sealing abilities and reduce breakage resulting from conformation pressure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 348,865, filed Jan. 22, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an occlusion device for the closure of physical apertures, such as vascular or septal apertures. More specifically, this invention relates to an occlusion device for the heart, having an articulated center post which allows the device to better conform to the contours of the heart. [0003] Normally, permanently repairing certain cardiac defects in adults and children requires open heart surgery, a risky, expensive, and painful procedure. To avoid the risks and discomfort associated with open heart surgery, modern occlusion devices have been developed that are small, implantable devices capable of being delivered to the heart through a catheter. Rather than surgery, a catheter inserted into a major blood vessel allows an occlusion device to be deployed by moving the device t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention allows occlusion devices to more effectively close a physical anomaly. The present invention is an occlusion device having a first occluding body, a second occluding body, and an articulated center section. The articulated center section increases the ability of the occlusion device to more accurately conform to the defect.

[0009] The center section includes a ball and socket joint and means for limiting rotation of the first occluding body relative to the second occluding body. The means for limiting rotation of the first occluding body relative to the second occluding body includes interlocking elements. In a first embodiment, the interlocking elements include a peg on a ball of the ball and socket joint and a groove on a socket of the ball and socket joint. In a second embodiment, the interlocking elements include a groove on a ball of the ball and socket joint and a peg on a socket of the ball and socket joint. The occluding bodies are rotationally limited but are still able to articulate, which allows for easier positioning of the occlusion device.

Problems solved by technology

Normally, permanently repairing certain cardiac defects in adults and children requires open heart surgery, a risky, expensive, and painful procedure.

A potential draw back to these devices is the difficulty in ensuring that the occluder conforms to the contours of the defect.

Poor conformation to the defect results in poor seating of the device which decreases the ability of the device to occlude the defect.

Ensuring the proper seating of an occlusion device once it has been deployed poses a continuing challenge given the uneven topography of the vascular and septal walls of each patient's heart.

The challenge in designing an occluder which conforms to the uneven topography is compounded by the fact that the contours of each defect in each individual patient are unique.

Lack of conformation to the walls of the heart can place significant amounts of stress on the occlusion device and decrease fatigue life.

Broken parts increase the likelihood of damage to the surrounding tissue and lead to patient anxiety.

Another obstacle which maybe encountered is the difficulty in readily distinguishing the individual occluder elements in order to determine their position in relation to each other and allow for repositioning, while still maintaining the flexibility needed for better conformation.

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