Closure devices, related delivery methods, and related methods of use
A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor preferably also includes a plurality of arms and preferably-does not include-a-cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, passing through the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.
1 - 58 . (canceled)
59 . A method of sealing a passageway in a human body, comprising:
deploying a flexible elongate member disposed between a first anchor with a plurality of first loop structures and a second anchor;
supporting each of the plurality of loop structures at a radially proximal end only with the flexible elongate member;
placing the first anchor proximate a first end of the passageway;
placing the second anchor proximate a second end of the passageway; and
moving the second anchor relative to the first anchor along the flexible elongate member.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein placing the first anchor includes expanding the first anchor from a collapsed state to a deployed state.
61 . The method of claim 59 , wherein placing the second anchor includes expanding the second anchor from a collapsed state to a deployed state.
62 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the passageway is a patent foramen ovale.
63 . The method of claim 59 , wherein placing the first anchor includes contacting the septum primum of a heart with the first anchor.
64 . The method of claim 59 , wherein placing the second anchor includes contacting the septum secundum of a heart with the second anchor.
65 . The method of claim 59 , wherein moving the second anchor includes moving the second anchor towards the first anchor.
66 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising engaging the flexible elongate member with a lock to prevent proximal movement of the second anchor.
67 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising severing the flexible elongate member adjacent the second anchor.
68 . The method of claim 59 , wherein a first end of the flexible elongate member is connected to the first anchor, and wherein placing the first anchor includes pulling proximally on the flexible elongate member to bring the first anchor into contact with tissue defining the passage.
69 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the flexible elongate member passes through the second anchor, and wherein placing the second anchor includes pushing the second anchor in a distal direction to move the second anchor with respect to the flexible elongate member until the second anchor covers an end of the passage.
70 . The method of claim 69 , further comprising retrieving the second anchor for re-positioning.
71 . The method of claim 70 , wherein retrieving the second anchor includes:
advancing a snare catheter toward the second anchor, engaging a portion of the second anchor with the snare; and
pulling the second anchor back toward a guide catheter.
72 . A method of placing a closure device to seal a passageway in a human body, comprising:
advancing a catheter into a first end of the passageway and out a second end of the passageway;
advancing a first anchor of a closure device out of a distal end of the catheter;
withdrawing the catheter through the passageway;
positioning the first anchor adjacent the second end of the passageway;
advancing a second anchor of the closure device out of the distal end of the catheter;
positioning the second anchor of the closure device adjacent the first end of the passageway; and
advancing a lock to a position adjacent the second anchor.
73 . The method of claim 72 , further comprising: positioning the closure device within the catheter.
74 . The method of claim 73 , wherein positioning the closure device includes advancing the first anchor, the second anchor, and the lock along a tether, wherein the first and second anchors and lock are pre-mounted on the tether.
75 . The method of claim 72 , wherein advancing the first anchor includes expanding the first anchor from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration.
76 . The method of claim 75 , wherein advancing the first anchor further includes advancing a flexible elongate member having a first end connected to the first anchor.
77 . The method of claim 76 , wherein positioning the first anchor includes pivoting the first anchor with respect to the flexible elongate member.
78 . The method of claim 72 , wherein the first anchor is connected to a first end of a flexible elongate member, and wherein positioning the first anchor includes pivoting the first anchor about the flexible elongate member.
79 . The method of claim 72 , wherein advancing the second anchor includes expanding the second anchor from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration.
80 . The method of claim 79 , wherein positioning the second anchor includes moving the second anchor along the flexible elongate member toward the first end of the passageway.
81 . The method of claim 80 , further comprising sealingly covering the first end of the passageway with the second anchor.
82 . The method of claim 72 , wherein advancing the lock includes moving the lock distally along the flexible elongate member toward the second anchor.
83 . The method of claim 82 , further comprising severing the flexible elongate member adjacent the lock after advancing the lock to a position adjacent the second anchor.
84 . The method of claim 72 , further comprising assessing the positioning of the first anchor prior to advancing the second anchor.
85 . The method of claim 84 , further comprising re-advancing the catheter through the passageway to retrieve the first anchor.
86 . The method of claim 72 , further comprising assessing the positioning of the second anchor.
87 . The method of claim 86 , further comprising advancing a device to retrieve the second anchor.
88 . The method of claim 87 , wherein advancing a device includes advancing a snare catheter.
89 . The method of claim 88 , further comprising engaging a portion of the second anchor with the snare catheter.
90 - 108 . (canceled)