Patent foramen ovale closure method

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. The method includes introducing a mechanical closure device into an atrium of the heart and transeptally deploying the closure device across the interatrial septum to provide proximation of the septum secundum and septum primum.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications, Ser. No. 60 / 713,388, filed Sep. 1, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an anatomical interatrial communication with potential for right-to-left shunting of blood. Patent foramen ovale is a flap-like opening between the atrial septa primum and secundum at the location of the fossa ovalis that persists after age one year. In utero, the foramen ovale serves as a physiologic conduit for right-to-left shunting of blood in the fetal heart. After birth, with the establishment of pulmonary circulation, the increased left atrial blood flow and pressure presses the septum prim...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the PFO track is often held closed, the endothelialized surfaces of the tissues forming the PFO track prevent the tissues from healing together and permanently closing the PFO track.

It is believed that embolism via a PFO may be a cause of a significant number of ischemic strokes, particularly in relatively young patients.

Blood clots that form in the venous circulation (e.g., the legs) can embolize, and may enter the arterial circulation via the PFO, subsequently entering the cerebral circulation, resulting in an embolic stroke.

These therapies may lead to certain side effects, including hemorrhage.

Like other open surgical treatments, this surgery is highly invasive, risky, requires general anesthesia, and may result in lengthy recuperation.

Many of these conventional devices used for ASD, however, are technically complex, bulky, and difficult to deploy in a precise location.

In addition, such devices may be difficult or impossible to retrieve and / or reposition should initial positioning not be satisfactory.

Moreover, these devices are specially designed for ASD and therefore may not be suitable to close and seal a PFO, particularly because the septum primum (SP) overlaps the septum secundum (SS).

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