Transseptal closure of a patent foramen ovale and other cardiac defects
The present invention provides for therapeutic treatment methods, devices, and systems for the partial or complete closure or occlusion of a patent foramen ovale (“PFO”). In particular, various methods, devices, and systems for joining or welding tissues, in order to therapeutically close a PFO are described. In yet another aspect of the invention, various methods, devices, and systems for the penetration of the interatrial septum enabling left atrial access are also provided.
1. A method for closing a patient's patent foramen ovale, comprising:
drawing at least one of the patient's primum and secundum toward the other, the primum and the secundum being portions of the patient's atrial septum;
applying energy to the primum and secundum; and
fusing at least a portion of the primum and a portion of the secundum together to at least partially seal the patent foramen ovale.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein fusing includes fusing at a first location of the atrial septum, and wherein the method further includes fusing at least one additional location of the atrial septum.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein fusing includes spot welding the atrial septum.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least partially sealing the patent foramen ovale without leaving an implantable sealing device in the patient's heart.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein applying energy includes applying RF energy.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein applying energy includes applying sonic energy.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein drawing at least one of the patient's primum and secundum toward the other includes clamping the primum and secundum between a first electrode and a second electrode.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein fusing the tissue includes melting the tissue.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a vacuum to bring atrial septal tissue into contact with an electrode.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein applying energy to the primum and the secundum includes shrinking at least one of the primum and the secundum.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein fusing the tissue includes fusing the tissue acutely.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein fusing the tissue includes fusing the tissue acutely to at least partially seal the patent foramen ovale, and wherein the method further comprises allowing the patient's healing process to further seal the patent foramen ovale.
13. A method for closing a patient's patent foramen ovale, comprising:
applying a vacuum to the patient's atrial septum, the atrial septum including a primum and a secundum;
applying energy to the primum and secundum; and
fusing at least a portion of the primum and a portion of the secundum together to at least partially seal the patent foramen ovale.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein fusing includes fusing at a first location of the atrial septum, and wherein the method further includes fusing at least one additional location of the atrial septum.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein fusing includes spot welding the atrial septum.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising at least partially sealing the patent foramen ovale without leaving an implantable sealing device in the patient's heart.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein applying energy includes applying RF energy.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein fusing the tissue includes melting the tissue.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein applying energy to the primum and the secundum includes shrinking at least one of the primum and the secundum.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein fusing the tissue includes fusing the tissue acutely.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein fusing the tissue includes fusing the tissue acutely to at least partially seal the patent foramen ovale, and wherein the method further comprises allowing the patient's healing process to further seal the patent foramen ovale.
22. A method of treating a patent foramen ovale in a heart, the method comprising:
advancing a catheter device for treating the patent foramen ovale to a position in the heart which does not extend through the patent foramen ovale; and
applying energy to tissues adjacent the patent foramen ovale with the catheter device to substantially close the patent foramen ovale.