Systems and Methods for Treating Septal Defects

Abstract

A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the body member and a positioning device configured to position the delivery device in a desired location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 175,814, filed Jul. 5, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 847,747, filed on May 7, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 734,670, filed Dec. 11, 2003, which is a division of Ser. No. 09 / 948,453, filed Sep. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,835 and which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09 / 948,502, filed Sep. 6, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,784, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for closing internal tissue defects, and more particularly to systems and methods for closing a patent foramen ovale or other septal defect. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] By nature of their location, the treatment of internal tissue defects is inherently difficult. Access to a defect through invasi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] another exemplary embodiment, a method of treating a septal defect is provided, the method including abutting a limbus of a septum secundum with an abutment of a medical device, creating a hole in the septum secundum with the limbus as a point of reference, and using the hole to facilitate delivery of a device configured to treat a septal defect.

Problems solved by technology

By nature of their location, the treatment of internal tissue defects is inherently difficult.

Access to a defect through invasive surgery introduces a high level of risk that can result in serious complications for the patient.

Access to the defect remotely with a catheter or equivalent device is less risky, but treatment of the defect itself is made more difficult given the limited physical abilities of the catheter.

The difficulty in accessing and treating tissue defects is compounded when the defect is found in or near a vital organ.

Occasionally, however, these foramen fail to close and create hemodynamic problems, which, in extreme cases, can ultimately prove fatal.

A PFO can pose serious health risks for the individual, including strokes and migraines.

These devices suffer from numerous shortcomings.

For instance, these devices typically involve frame structures that often support membranes, either of which may fail during the life of the patient, thereby introducing the risk that the defect may reopen or that portions of the device could be released within the patient's heart.

These devices can fail to form a perfect seal of the septal defect, allowing blood to continue to shunt through the defect.

Also, the size and expansive nature of these devices makes safe withdrawal from the patient difficult in instances where withdrawal becomes necessary.

The presence of these devices within the heart typically requires the patient to use anti-coagulant drugs for prolonged periods of time, thereby introducing additional health risks to the patient.

Furthermore, these devices can come into contact with other portions of the heart tissue and cause undesirable side effects such as an arrhythmia, local tissue damage, and perforation.

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