Patent ID: 7846179
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. In a method of closing a patent foramen ovale in a septal wall of the heart, the improvement comprising: advancing an elongate flexible outer tubular member having an inner lumen through the vasculature of a patient and into proximity with the patient's heart; advancing the outer tubular member into the patient's heart and into proximity with the septum secundum of a patent foramen ovale, the outer tubular member housing in its inner lumen a first and a second inner elongate tubular member in a first constrained configuration, each inner elongate tubular member having a lumen and a substantially sharp distal end and each inner tubular member having, respectively, a first and second suture body in its lumen each inner elongate tubular member further having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a non-linear intermediate portion located therebetween, wherein a longitudinal axis of each distal portion is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of each proximal portion; advancing the first and second inner elongate tubular members distally out of the inner lumen of the outer tubular member such that the first and second inner elongate tubular members deflect from the first constrained configuration to a second expanded configuration wherein the distal portion of each of the inner elongate tubular members is spaced away from the other and the distal portions and sharp distal ends extend in a distal direction and transverse to the septum secundum prior to penetrating the septum secundum; advancing said first and second tubular members distally so that each of them penetrates the septum secundum and the septum primum; and deploying said first and second suture bodies from within the first and second inner elongate tubular members respectively.