Left atrial appendage clipping device and methods for clipping the LAA

1. An external left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion clip, comprising:

a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having:

a tissue-contacting surface; and

first and second bias surfaces, the first clip strut having a first proximal end and the second clip strut having a second proximal end;

a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface, the bias assembly comprising:

at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut; and

at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut;

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring being configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane; and

a delivery device removably connected to the first and second proximal ends and configured to move the first and second clip struts independently in the strut plane.

2. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first distal end;

the second clip strut has a second distal end;

the at least one first bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end; and

the at least one second bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

3. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the tissue-contacting surface of the first clip strut comprises a first LAA contacting surface having a first longitudinal centerline;

the tissue-contacting surface of the second clip strut comprises a second LAA contacting surface having a second longitudinal centerline; and

the strut plane passes through the first and second longitudinal centerlines.

4. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter; and

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the port.

5. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

6. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter;

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the port;

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

7. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

8. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first clip strut in the strut plane independent of yaw movement of the second clip strut in the strut plane.

9. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the first upper side and the second upper side together define an outer upper boundary; and

the first bias spring remains within the outer upper boundary.

10. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the first lower side and the second lower side together define an outer lower boundary; and

the second bias spring remains within the outer lower boundary.

11. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts undergo substantially no rotation about the respective first and second longitudinal axes when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

12. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts have substantially no torque when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

13. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first clip strut has a first proximal end and the second clip strut has a second proximal end, and which further comprises a delivery device removably connected to the first and second proximal ends and configured to move the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

14. An external left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion clip, comprising:

a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having:

a tissue-contacting surface; and

first and second bias surfaces;

a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface, the bias assembly comprising:

at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut; and

at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut; and

a delivery device removably connected to the first and second struts and configured to move the first and second clip struts independently in the strut plane.

15. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first proximal end and a first distal end;

the second clip strut has a second proximal end and a second distal end;

the at least one first bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end; and

the at least one second bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

16. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the tissue-contacting surface of the first clip strut comprises a first LAA contacting surface having a first longitudinal centerline;

the tissue-contacting surface of the second clip strut comprises a second LAA contacting surface having a second longitudinal centerline; and

the strut plane passes through the first and second longitudinal centerlines.

17. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter; and

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the laparoscopic port.

18. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

19. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter;

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the laparoscopic port;

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

20. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

21. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first clip strut in the strut plane independent of yaw movement of the second clip strut in the strut plane.

22. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the first upper side and the second upper side together define an outer upper boundary; and

the first bias spring remains within the outer upper boundary.

23. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the first lower side and the second lower side together define an outer lower boundary; and

the second bias spring remains within the outer lower boundary.

24. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts undergo substantially no rotation about the respective first and second longitudinal axes when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

25. The clip according to claim 14 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts have substantially no torque when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

26. An external left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion clip, comprising:

a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having:

a tissue-contacting surface; and

first and second bias surfaces;

a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface, the bias assembly comprising:

at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut; and

at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring being configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane;

the first clip strut having a first proximal end with a first proximal opening;

the second clip strut having a second proximal end with a second proximal opening; and

a delivery device removably connected to the first and second proximal ends through the first and second proximal openings, the delivery device configured to move the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

27. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first distal end;

the second clip strut has a second distal end;

the at least one first bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end; and

the at least one second bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

28. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the tissue-contacting surface of the first clip strut comprises a first LAA contacting surface having a first longitudinal centerline;

the tissue-contacting surface of the second clip strut comprises a second LAA contacting surface having a second longitudinal centerline; and

the strut plane passes through the first and second longitudinal centerlines.

29. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter; and

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the port.

30. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

31. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter;

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the port;

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

32. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

33. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first clip strut in the strut plane independent of yaw movement of the second clip strut in the strut plane.

34. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the first upper side and the second upper side together define an outer upper boundary; and

the first bias spring remains within the outer upper boundary.

35. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the first lower side and the second lower side together define an outer lower boundary; and

the second bias spring remains within the outer lower boundary.

36. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts undergo substantially no rotation about the respective first and second longitudinal axes when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

37. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts have substantially no torque when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

38. The clip according to claim 26 , wherein the first clip strut has a first proximal end and the second clip strut has a second proximal end, and which further comprises a delivery device removably connected to the first and second proximal ends and configured to move the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

39. An external left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion clip, comprising:

a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having:

a tissue-contacting surface; and

first and second bias surfaces;

a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface, the bias assembly comprising:

at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut; and

at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring being configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane;

the first clip strut having a first proximal end with a first proximal opening;

the second clip strut having a second proximal end with a second proximal opening; and

a delivery device removably connected only to the first and second proximal ends through the first and second proximal openings, the delivery device configured to move the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

40. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first distal end;

the second clip strut has a second distal end;

the at least one first bias spring is coimected to:

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the first bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end; and

the at least one second bias spring is connected to:

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the first clip strut between the first proximal end and the first distal end; and

an intermediate position at the second bias surface of the second clip strut between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

41. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the first bias surface of the second clip stint is a second upper side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the tissue-contacting surface of the first clip strut comprises a first LAA contacting surface having a first longitudinal centerline;

the tissue-contacting surface of the second clip strut comprises a second LAA contacting surface having a second longitudinal centerline; and

the strut plane passes through the first and second longitudinal centerlines.

42. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter; and

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the laparoscopic port.

43. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

44. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the clip is sized to fit into a laparoscopic port having an interior diameter;

the clipping assembly and the bias assembly together have a maximum outer width that is no greater than the interior diameter of the laparoscopic port;

the first and second clip struts have a maximum longitudinal length;

the at least one first bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length; and

the at least one second bias spring has a longitudinal length shorter than the maximum longitudinal length.

45. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

46. The clip according to claim 16 . wherein the bias assembly is configured to permit yaw movement of the first clip strut in the strut plane independent of yaw movement of the second clip strut in the strut plane.

47. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first bias surface of the first clip strut is a first upper side;

the first bias surface of the second clip strut is a second upper side;

the first upper side and the second upper side together define an outer upper boundary; and

the first bias spring remains within the outer upper boundary.

48. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the second bias surface of the first clip strut is a first lower side;

the second bias surface of the second clip strut is a second lower side;

the first lower side and the second lower side together define an outer lower boundary; and

the second bias spring remains within the outer lower boundary.

49. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts undergo substantially no rotation about the respective first and second longitudinal axes when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.

50. The clip according to claim 39 , wherein:

the first clip strut has a first longitudinal axis;

the second clip strut has a second longitudinal axis; and

the at least one first bias spring and the at least one second bias spring balance forces such that the first and second clip struts have substantially no torque when the first and second struts move in the strut plane.