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Patent foramen ovale closure methodRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Instruments, Sutureless ClosurePatent foramen ovale closure method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070185530, Patent foramen ovale closure method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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 primum (SP) against the walls of the septum secundum (SS), covering the foramen ovale and resulting in functional closure of the foramen ovale. This closure is usually followed by anatomical closure of the foramen ovale due to fusion of the septum primum (SP) to the septum secundum (SS). [0004] Where anatomical closure of the foramen ovale does not occur, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is created. A patent foramen ovale is a persistent, usually flap-like opening between the atrial septum primum (SP) and septum secundum (SS) of a heart. A patent foramen ovale results when either partial or no fusion of the septum primum (SP) to the septum secundum (SS) occurs. In the case of partial fusion or no fusion, a persistent passageway (PFO track) exists between the septum primum (SP) and septum secundum (SS). This opening or passageway is typically parallel to the plane of the septum primum, and has a mouth that is generally oval in shape. Normally the opening is relatively long, but quite narrow. The opening may be held closed due to the mean pressure in the left atrium (LA) being typically higher than in the right atrium (RA). In this manner, the septum primum acts like a one-way valve, preventing fluid communication between the right and left atria through the PFO track. However, at times, the pressure may temporarily be higher in the right atrium, causing the PFO track to open up and allow some fluid to pass from the right atrium to the left atrium. 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. [0005] Studies have shown that a relatively large percentage of adults have a patent foramen ovale (PFO). It is believed that embolism via a PFO may be a cause of a significant number of ischemic strokes, particularly in relatively young patients. It has been estimated that in 50% of cryptogenic strokes, a PFO is present. 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. Blood clots may also form in the vicinity of the PFO, and embolize into the arterial circulation and into the cerebral circulation. Patients suffering a cryptogenic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the presence of a PFO often are considered for medical therapy to reduce the risk of a recurrent embolic event. [0006] Pharmacological therapy often includes oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. These therapies may lead to certain side effects, including hemorrhage. If pharmacologic therapy is unsuitable, open heart surgery may be employed to close a PFO with stitches, for example. Like other open surgical treatments, this surgery is highly invasive, risky, requires general anesthesia, and may result in lengthy recuperation. [0007] Nonsurgical closure of a PFO is possible with umbrella-like devices developed for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) (a condition where there is not a well-developed septum primum (SP)). 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). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a method of deploying a mechanical closure device through the septum of a heart to facilitate closing of a patent foramen ovale. The method comprises the steps of accessing a first atrium of the heart with a deployment device carrying the mechanical closure device. The mechanical closure device includes a proximal and distal anchor with a closure line attached there between. The deployment device is then advanced distally until the deployment device penetrates through the interatrial septum into the second atrium. A mechanical closure device is then introduced into the second atrium of the heart. The closure device is then transeptally deployed across the septum secundum and/or septum primum to provide proximation between the septum secundum and septum primum. [0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of accessing a first atrium of the heart with a deployment device carrying the mechanical closure device. The mechanical closure device includes a proximal and distal anchor with a closure line attached there between. The deployment device is then advanced distally until the deployment device penetrates through at least one appendage of the interatrial septum into the second atrium. A mechanical closure device is then introduced into the second atrium of the heart. The closure device is then transeptally deployed across the penetrated interatrial septum to provide proximation between the septum secundum and septum primum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a short axis view of the heart at the level of the right atrium (RA) and the left atrium (LA), in a plane generally parallel to the atrio-ventricular groove, and at the level of the aortic valve, showing a PFO track. [0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the PFO track of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration. [0012] FIG. 3 is a close-up section view illustrating the PFO track held in the closed position by left atrial pressure. [0013] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the PFO track of FIG. 2 in an open configuration. [0014] FIG. 4B is a close-up section view illustrating the PFO track in an open configuration. [0015] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the PFO tract of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 5B is a section view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4B. [0017] FIG. 5C is a section view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. [0018] FIG. 5D is a close-up section view of the PFO track, showing the tunnel formed by the tissue extension. [0019] FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between the components comprising the closure device and deployment device according to one aspect of the present invention. Continue reading about Patent foramen ovale closure method... Full patent description for Patent foramen ovale closure method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Patent foramen ovale closure method 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 Patent foramen ovale closure method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus and method for deployment of a bronchial obstruction device Next Patent Application: Wound closure devices and methods Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Patent foramen ovale closure method patent info. 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