Curved arm intracardiac occluder
Disclosed herein are devices and methods for occluding intracardiac defects, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The devices according to the invention have various features that enhance the flexibility of the device and improve the device's ability to conform to the location of the intracardiac defect. In particular, intracardiac occluders with curved arms are disclosed.
1. An intracardiac occluder, comprising, in its defect occluding state:
a central body portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal end coupled to a proximal hub of a proximal occlusion shell and the distal end coupled to a distal hub of a distal occlusion shell, the central body portion being positionable in a defect;
wherein the proximal occlusion shell comprises a plurality of arms radially extending from the proximal hub, a first arm of the plurality of arms comprising a curve extending from the proximate hub to a first free end in a constantly changing plane around a central axis, and a second arm of the plurality of arms extending in a straight configuration from the proximal hub, perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis, to a second free end.
2. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are joint-free.
3. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are adjacent to one another.
4. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are made of a material selected from the group consisting of nitinol, MP35N, polymers, bioresorbable polymers, and a metal.
5. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm differ in length.
6. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms comprises a plurality of wires.
7. The intracardiac occluder of claim 6 , wherein the cross-section of at least one of the plurality of wires is a shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, and an oval.
8. The intracardiac occluder of claim 1 , wherein the proximal shell further comprises a third arm of the plurality of arms comprising a curve extending from the proximal hub to a third free end.
9. The intracardiac occluder of claim 8 , wherein the first arm and the third arm curve in the same direction.
10. The intracardiac occluder of claim 8 , wherein the third arm extends to the third free end in a constantly changing plane around a central axis.
11. The intracardiac occluder of claim 8 , wherein the second arm is adjacent to the third arm.
12. The intracardiac occluder of claim 8 , wherein the second arm and the third arm differ in length.