Needle apparatus for closing septal defects and methods for using such apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of treating a patent foramen ovale in a heart of a human patient, the patent foramen ovale (PFO) having a first tissue flap that partially overlaps a second tissue flap with an opening therebetween, the method comprising:
- advancing a catheter through the patient'"'"'s vasculature and into a right atrium of the heart, the catheter having a needle associated therewith;
advancing a distal end of the needle from the right atrium, through the first tissue flap, then through the second tissue flap and into a left atrium of the heart, wherein advancement of the needle creates a first hole in the first tissue flap and a second hole in the second tissue flap to allow the first tissue flap to be held to the second tissue flap; and
holding the first tissue flap in contact with the second tissue flap.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for closing a septal defect including a flap of tissue partially detached from a septum of a heart. A needle is advanced through a patient'"'"'s vasculature within a delivery apparatus until the needle is disposed within a first chamber adjacent the septum. The needle is directed through the flap of tissue until the needle is disposed within a second chamber opposite the septum. A filament attached to an intermediate region of the needle is pulled, thereby causing the needle to pivot about the intermediate region such that the ends of the needle straddle the septal opening. A locking element is secured to the filament to secure the flap of tissue against the septum, and the filament is cut. Alternatively, the filament is biased to coil to engage the flap of tissue and secure the needle against the septum to close the opening.
532 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating a patent foramen ovale in a heart of a human patient, the patent foramen ovale (PFO) having a first tissue flap that partially overlaps a second tissue flap with an opening therebetween, the method comprising:
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advancing a catheter through the patient'"'"'s vasculature and into a right atrium of the heart, the catheter having a needle associated therewith; advancing a distal end of the needle from the right atrium, through the first tissue flap, then through the second tissue flap and into a left atrium of the heart, wherein advancement of the needle creates a first hole in the first tissue flap and a second hole in the second tissue flap to allow the first tissue flap to be held to the second tissue flap; and holding the first tissue flap in contact with the second tissue flap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification