Methods and apparatus to achieve a closure of a layered tissue defect

Abstract

Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as a patent foramen ovate generally involve positioning a distal end of a catheter device at the site of the defect, exposing a housing and energy transmission member from the distal end of the catheter, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the defect, applying suction or other approximating tool to the tissue via the housing to bring the tissue together, and applying energy to the tissue with the energy transmission member or to deliver a clip or fixation device to substantially close the defect. Apparatus generally include a catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissue at the site of the defect, and further adapted to house a fusing or fixation device such as an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, or a clip or fixation delivery element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 670,535 (Attorney Docket No. 022128-000700US), filed Apr. 11, 2005, 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 positioning closure devices, including energy based devices and methods for treatment of anatomic defects in human tissue, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), left atrial appendages (LAA), blood vessel wall defects and other defects having layered and apposed tissue structures.

[0003] The following is an example of how one particular type of anatomical defect, a PFO, is formed. Fetal blood circulation is very different from adult circulation. Because fetal blood is oxygenated by the placen...

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