Filing Information

Inventor(s)	Peter Keith · Jerome Grudem · Scott Olson · Steven Hackett · Thomas Ressemann · Joel Phillips · Mark Christianson · Dennis Wahr · David Blaeser ·
Assignee(s)	Velocimed, L.L.C. ·  View assignee updates
Correspondent	Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P. ·
Application Number	US10138565
Filing date	05/06/2002
Publication date	11/06/2003
Predicted expiration date	05/06/2022
U.S. Classifications	606/213  ·
International Classifications	A61D001/00  ·
Kind Code	A1

Patent Family

Abstract

Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration.

Independent Claims | See all claims (98)

1. 1. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising: advancing an abrasion device into the passageway to be sealed; abrading at least a portion of the tissue surfaces forming the passageway; withdrawing the abrasion device from the passageway; and forcing abraded portions of the tissue surfaces of the passageway against one another for a period of time.
2. 20. A device for sealing a passageway in a human body, the device comprising: a catheter having an distal portion; and at least one suture lumen, the at least one suture lumen containing a suture having an anchor at an end of the suture.
3. 30. An assembly for sealing a passageway in a human body, comprising: a delivery catheter; a suture connected to a barbed anchor; and a support tube configured to surround and support the suture.
4. 38. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising: advancing a hollow tubular structure into the passageway to be sealed; engaging the walls of the passageway with the hollow tubular structure; and flattening the hollow tubular structure.
5. 75. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising: advancing a catheter into the passageway; applying adhesive to the walls of the passageway; withdrawing the catheter from the passageway; and forcing portions of the walls of the passageway against one another for a period of time sufficient to allow the adhesive to at least partially cure.
6. 88. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising: advancing a delivery device having an expandable end into the passageway, wherein the delivery device includes at least two suture lumens, each suture lumen having an open end positioned in the passageway when the delivery device is advanced into the passageway; expanding the expandable end; advancing a suture-anchor assembly out of the end of each suture lumen; penetrating the tissue forming the passageway with an anchor of each suture-anchor assembly; and pulling the passageway closed with the anchored sutures.
7. 92. A method of sealing a passageway between a septum primum and a septum secundum in a heart, comprising: advancing a delivery catheter into the right atrium; advancing an anchor and suture assembly out of the delivery catheter; and passing the anchor and suture assembly through the septum secundum and through the septum primum.