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Body lumen closureRelated Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Heart Valve, Annular Member For Supporting Artificial Heart Valve, Sewing RingBody lumen closure description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060085066, Body lumen closure. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/115,552, filed Apr. 3, 2002, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] A venous valve functions to prevent retrograde flow of blood and allow only antegrade flow of blood to the heart. Referring to FIG. 1A, a healthy venous valve 12 is illustrated in a vessel 10. The valve is bicuspid, with opposed cusps 14. In the closed condition, the cusps 14 are drawn together to prevent retrograde flow (arrow 16) of blood. Referring to FIG. 1B, if the valve is incompetent, the cusps 14 do not seal properly and retrograde flow of blood occurs. Incompetence of a venous valve is thought to arise from at least the following two medical conditions: varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. SUMMARY [0003] In a first aspect, the invention features an implantable medical closure device. The device includes a flexible strand defining an arcuate form. The strand is deformable upon implantation from a large cross-section condition to a small cross-section condition and has at least two anchoring portions disposed along the strand. The anchoring portions are configured to penetrate a wall of a body lumen such that when the strand is deformed to the small cross-section condition, the wall of the body lumen is disposed inwardly. [0004] The strand can also be deformable from a second small cross-section condition to the large cross-section condition, for example, the strand may be deformed to the second small cross-section condition to facilitate delivery of the strand to a treatment site, where it is then deformed to the large cross-section condition upon implantation. The strand can include free ends, which free ends can include the anchoring portions of the strand. The strand can define an arc, a helix or can include linear leg portions. The strand can be a filament-form or a band and may be corrugated. The strand can deform from the large cross-section condition to the small cross-section condition by, for example, elastic recovery forces or thermal shape-memory effect. The strand can be formed of metal, for example, nitinol. The anchoring portions of the strand can include, for example, a loop or a barb. [0005] In another aspect, the invention features a catheter system, which system includes a catheter for delivery into a lumen. The catheter includes an expander that can be operated between a small cross-section and a large cross-section. The catheter system also includes a closure device positioned about the expander. The closure device is a strand defining an arcuate form and including at least two anchoring portions configured to penetrate a wall of a body lumen. The closure device is deformable by the expander from a first small cross-section condition to a larger cross-section condition to dispose the closure device into engagement with the lumen wall. The closure device is further deformable to a second small cross-section condition, so that the wall of the body lumen is disposed inwardly. [0006] The expander can take any convenient form, including, for example, an inflatable balloon, a mechanical expander or a leveraging device. The mechanical expander can include a two-part axial member having a first inner part connected to a first coiled spring and a second outer part connected to a second coiled spring. The closure device is mounted on the first and second coiled springs, and the first inner part of the axial member is rotatable to expand the first coiled spring and the second outer part of the axial member is rotatable to expand the second coiled spring. Expansion of the first and second coiled springs expands the closure device. Each coiled spring can include a distal end configured to fit within a groove formed on either end of the closure device. [0007] The leveraging device can include a two-part axial member including a first outer part and a second inner part. A splayed cuff is connected to the distal end of the first outer part of the two-part axial member, and at least two flexible legs are connected to the distal end of the second inner part of the two-part axial member. The legs are flared outwardly to contact the distal end of the splayed cuff. The second inner part of the two-part axial member is moveable toward the splayed cuff such that the flexible legs and the splayed cuff expand radially. The closure device is positioned about the flexible legs and expansion of the flexible legs expands the closure device from a first small cross-section condition to a larger cross-section condition. The second inner part of the two-part axial member is also moveable away from the splayed cuff such that the flexible legs and the splayed cuff retract. [0008] In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a body lumen. The method includes delivering a closure device into a lumen and positioning the strand about the lumen such that a portion of the strand penetrates the wall of the lumen. The method further includes deforming the strand to a smaller cross-section condition such that the wall of the lumen is disposed inwardly. The strand can be positioned about the lumen such that an end of the strand extends through the wall of the lumen. The strand can be disposed on a catheter, which catheter is then delivered into the lumen. The catheter can include an expansion member. [0009] Embodiments may have one or more of the following advantages. Closure of a body lumen can be achieved in a minimally invasive manner by delivery of a closure device to a treatment site using a catheter. The closure device may be partially installed within the lumen but configured to minimize profile and thus reduce impedance to the flow of body fluids through the lumen. The amount of lumen closure can be controlled by selecting the size and/or recovery force of the closure device. [0010] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional schematic of a vessel including a competent venous valve, while FIG. 1B is a schematic of a vessel including an incompetent venous valve. [0012] FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross section of a vessel including a closure device, while FIG. 2B is a radial cross section of the vessel including the closure device. [0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are longitudinal and radial cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating delivery of a closure device using a catheter. [0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are radial cross-sectional views illustrating implantation of a closure device from within a vessel. [0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure device. [0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure device. [0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure device. [0018] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are radial cross-sectional views illustrating implantation of a closure device from within a vessel. [0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure device. [0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure device. Continue reading about Body lumen closure... Full patent description for Body lumen closure Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Body lumen closure patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Body lumen closure or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Stent with auxiliary treatment structure Next Patent Application: Implantable orthopedic device component selection instrument and methods Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Body lumen closure patent info. 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