110 results about "Heart Auricles" patented technology

Devices and methods for clamping tissue and / or moving two tissue structures together by moving two plates or arm together. The pressure or force applied to the tissue may be used to bring the tissue together, to seal an opening or to cut through and remove a portion of the tissue. In one procedure disclosed, a clip applier may be used to apply one or more clips to the left atrial appendage of the heart to prevent clots from the left atrial appendage from embolizing and causing harm to the patient, such as a stroke.

A system and method for delivering an implant includes an implant, an actuation shaft, and a concentrically attachable disconnect mount. A distal guide tube is sometimes also provided. A proximal guide tube is also sometimes provided. The implantable device has a proximal, a distal end, and a plurality of supports. The implantable device is moveable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The distal guide tube, when provided, is at the distal end of the supports and extends toward the proximal end of the implantable device. The actuation shaft extends through the proximal end of the implantable device and is removeably engageable with the distal guide tube, or the distal end of the device when the distal guide tube is not provided. The disconnect mount is releasably engageable with the proximal end of the implantable device. The disconnect mount is concentrically attachable to the proximal end of the implantable device as well. The implantable device is self-expandable, and is collapsed by engaging the actuation shaft with the distal guide tube while applying a relatively proximal force to the proximal end of the implant with the disconnect mount.

Implantable occlusion devices that include one or more flanges extending from a tubular body are disclosed. The flange or flanges may assist in retention of the device within a vessel, cavity, appendage, etc. At least one flange on the occlusion device may include a concave surface proximate one end of a body. Because of the shape of the flange, e.g., its concavity, the occlusion device may resist dislocation due to e.g., the forces generated within the left atrial appendage during atrial filbrillation.

A device for excluding the inner cavity of the left internal appendage (LAA) from the interior of the left atrium LA may include a pair of compression members spaced apart and defining a closed periphery. The closed periphery has a variable-sized opening therein that can be enlarged to surround the LAA and then closed to compress and exclude the LAA. The closed periphery may be generally rectangular or lenticular, and may be a solid, contiguous periphery or separable at a closure. Inner protrusions or ribs may be provided on the compression members to help anchor the exclusion device in place. Needles may also be provided to pierce the LAA tissue and trap blood clots therein. The device may be non-linear in plan view so as to conform to the shape of the external left atrium. Deployment techniques or structures may be provided that squeeze the LAA in a direction starting adjacent the left atrium and then moving away from the left atrium. This squeezing motion helps prevent extrusion of any thrombus deposit within the LAA cavity into the left atrium.

The present invention provides devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage. The device includes an easily deployed wire structure of shape memory material sized to be appropriate for use in a patient. The device may be manufactured in various sizes for use in various patients. The device has a sheet of material attached for eclipsing the opening of the left atrial appendage and means for secured attachment substantially within the left atrial appendage. The method includes deploying the device within the left atrial appendage, securely anchoring the device, and ensuring that a sheet of material eclipses the opening of the left atrial appendage. These features are incorporated into the improved devices and methods in order to more effectively aid in the prevention of clot formation and clot migration into or out of the left atrial appendage to greatly decrease the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

A device for excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) includes first and second members, each with first and second ends. The second ends are connected by a hinge. The first ends interlock to close the device about the LAA. The members are shaped such that they can exclude the LAA without causing the development of necrotic tissue. If desired, a flexible cover can be provided and the first and second members can be disposed within the cover. If such a cover is used, it will contact the LAA in order to cushion the contact between the members and the LAA and minimize the tendency of the LAA to bleed. The invention also includes methods for using the device to exclude the LAA.

Methods and apparatus for closing a left atrial appendage are described. The methods rely on introducing a closure tool from a location beneath the rib cage, over an epicardial surface, and to the exterior of the left atrial appendage. The closure device may then be used to close the left atrial appendage, preferably at its base, by any one of a variety of techniques. A specific technique using graspers and a closing loop is illustrated.

Apparatus and methods are provided for excluding and reducing the volume of the left atrial appendage (“LAA”) by deploying a first tissue capture element in contact with the pericardium and a second tissue capture element in engagement with the endocardial surface adjacent to the ostium of the LAA, such that the LAA tissue is retained in a collapsed, reduced volume state therebetween. Methods of using the apparatus of the present invention to reduce or occlude the LAA also are provided.

A method of preventing ingress of material into the left atrium of a heart includes providing a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath distal end through an opening between the right atrium and the left atrium of the heart, providing an expandable cage, delivering the expandable cage to the left atrium, and expanding the expandable cage within the left atrium. The expandable cage includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of supports extending therebetween. The expandable cage also includes a first membrane provided at its proximal end and a second membrane provided at its distal end. The expandable cage has a collapsed configuration so that it can be received within the lumen of the delivery sheath, and an expanded configuration for deployment within the heart. When expanded, the first membrane is positioned at an opening between the left and right atria of the heart, and the second membrane is positioned at the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The first membrane substantially prevents passage of blood between the atria and the second membrane prevents passage of embolic material from the left atrial appendage into the left atrium of the heart.

A method of delivering and deploying the device for containing the emboli during a surgical procedure proximate to the heart. Access is gained to the heart and the left atrium such that a distal end of the delivery sheath can be located near the left atrial appendage. A distal end of a delivery catheter can be loaded with the device in a collapsed position and passed through the delivery sheath thereby delivering the device within the left atrial appendage. The device is expanded to contain emboli in the left atrium appendage.

Medical devices, systems and methods for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). In one embodiment, a medical device system includes a jailing member or structure positioned over the ostium of an LAA and at least one tissue growth member positioned within the LAA and retained within the LAA by the jailing member. In another embodiment, a medical device includes an atrial stent coupled with a patch that is configured to cover the ostium of an LAA. The patch may have a tissue growth member associated therewith. In another embodiment, the patch may include an open-cell frame which may be used as a jailing member or structure.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

A medical device, system and method for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). The medical device system includes a tether anchored within the LAA and one or more tissue growth members or occluders configured to be slid over the tether and lodged within the LAA. With this arrangement, a physician may close-off the LAA with a selective number of tissue growth members to meet the varying LAA sizes as determined from imaging information while conducting the procedure.

Disclosed is an adjustable occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device is removably carried by a deployment catheter. The device may be enlarged or reduced to facilitate optimal placement or removal. Methods are also disclosed.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a device that modifies the left atrial appendage (LAA) to reduce the likelihood of thrombus formation therein. The device includes a liner that reduces the volume of the LAA and remodels the interior geometry and surfaces of the LAA thereby minimizing the crenellations in the LAA that impede blood flow. According to some embodiments, the device further includes an anchor component. The anchor component helps to expand the liner upon deployment of the device in-vivo and further prevents dislodgement and migration of the device, by ensuring the device is properly seated and completely sealed against the walls and ostium of the LAA.

Described here are devices, methods, and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. Methods of accessing and delivering devices to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise advancing a first access element into the left atrial appendage by an intravascular pathway and advancing a second access element towards the left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The first and second alignment members may form an attachment through the wall of the left atrial appendage so that the first and second access elements are aligned. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Also described here are various methods and devices to create a left atrial appendage access site to help position and operate devices within the heart.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

A novel catheter-based system that ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and / or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter inserted into the interior of the left atrial appendage that may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and / or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature or constricting element on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and / or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set the ligature or constricting element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Described here are devices, methods, and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. Methods of accessing and delivering devices to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise advancing a first access element into the left atrial appendage by an intravascular pathway and advancing a second access element towards the left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The first and second alignment members may form an attachment through the wall of the left atrial appendage so that the first and second access elements are aligned. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Also described here are various methods and devices to create a left atrial appendage access site to help position and operate devices within the heart.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods to prevent complications from atrial fibrillation by preventing or reducing the likelihood of blood flow out of the left atrial appendage, to eliminate a possible source of aberrant electrical circuits, or both. Accordingly, techniques are provided for delivering ligature loops or closure means to the left atrial appendage, and to other anatomical structures of a patient which may be desirable in other surgical procedures.

Devices and methods for clamping tissue and / or moving two tissue structures together by moving two plates or arm together. The pressure or force applied to the tissue may be used to bring the tissue together, to seal an opening or to cut through and remove a portion of the tissue. In one procedure disclosed, a clip applier may be used to apply one or more clips to the left atrial appendage of the heart to prevent clots from the left atrial appendage from embolizing and causing harm to the patient, such as a stroke.

A novel catheter-based system that ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and / or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter inserted into the interior of the left atrial appendage that may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and / or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature or constricting element on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and / or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set the ligature or constricting element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a medical device coupled to a delivery catheter includes a fluid flow path that facilitates contrast fluid to pass through the delivery catheter and the medical device to a distal side thereof to provide imaging information as to the position of the medical device positioned in the opening, such as the left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a medical device is coupled to a delivery catheter, the medical device including flaps adjacent a hub of the medical device that close-off a bore of the hub upon the catheter being detached from the medical device.

A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and / or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and / or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and / or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

An opening other than the ostium of a left atrial appendage (LAA) is provided to allow blood flow between the LAA and another portion of the body. The opening has a conduit that helps to increase blood flow through an LAA by adding at least one other flow path to the ostium, thereby reducing the risk of stasis and the formation of thrombi.

A medical device implant for the left atrial appendage of a patient's heart, to prevent strokes. The device includes a cap that overlies the opening of the LAA connected to a bulb in the LAA. Dis-continuous segmented sails attached to the cap promote tissue growth over the device.

A device, system and method for occlusion of the left atrial appendage. A device is described with respect to non-surgically occluding the left atrial appendage with minimal invasiveness. Additionally, a system and method are described for using the device to perform the left atrial appendage occlusion procedure.