Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20070149988?dq=5,825,242
Timestamp: 2015-01-25 17:36:46
Document Index: 634762297

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Patent US20070149988 - Exclusion of the left atrial appendage - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA device for excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) includes first and second members, each with first and second ends. The second ends are connected by a hinge. The first ends interlock to close the device about the LAA. The members are shaped such that they can exclude the LAA without causing the...http://www.google.com/patents/US20070149988?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070149988 - Exclusion of the left atrial appendageAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20070149988 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/315,799Publication dateJun 28, 2007Filing dateDec 22, 2005Priority dateDec 22, 2005Publication number11315799, 315799, US 2007/0149988 A1, US 2007/149988 A1, US 20070149988 A1, US 20070149988A1, US 2007149988 A1, US 2007149988A1, US-A1-20070149988, US-A1-2007149988, US2007/0149988A1, US2007/149988A1, US20070149988 A1, US20070149988A1, US2007149988 A1, US2007149988A1InventorsRobert Michler, Albert SantilliOriginal AssigneeMichler Robert E, Santilli Albert NExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (2), Referenced by (5), Classifications (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetExclusion of the left atrial appendageUS 20070149988 A1Abstract A device for excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) includes first and second members, each with first and second ends. The second ends are connected by a hinge. The first ends interlock to close the device about the LAA. The members are shaped such that they can exclude the LAA without causing the development of necrotic tissue. If desired, a flexible cover can be provided and the first and second members can be disposed within the cover. If such a cover is used, it will contact the LAA in order to cushion the contact between the members and the LAA and minimize the tendency of the LAA to bleed. The invention also includes methods for using the device to exclude the LAA. Images(5) Claims(20)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an anterior view of a heart 1. The heart 1 has a right ventricle 5, a left ventricle 4, and a left atrial appendage (LAA) 2. The methods and devices of the present invention involve the placement of an exclusion device over a base region 3 of the LAA 2 to help prevent thrombi or blot clots inside of the LAA 2 from escaping the LAA 2. It is expected that the elimination or containment of thrombi formed within the LAA of patients with atrial fibrillation will significantly reduce the incidence of stroke in these patients. Referring to FIGS. 2-7, a device for excluding the LAA 2 according to the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The exclusion device 10 includes a first member 12 and a second member 14. The first member 12 has a first end 12 a and a second end 12 b. The second member 14 also has a first end 14 a and a second end 14 b. The first member 12 and second member 14 are adapted to extend from one side of the LAA 2 to the other side and to contact, respectively, the LAA 2 on opposing sides of the LAA 2 adjacent the heart 1. The exclusion device 10 may be made from any suitable material such as stainless steel, tantalum, and, preferably, titanium, and alloys and combinations of any of the foregoing. The exclusion device 10 preferably includes a hinge 16 that connects the second ends 12 b, 14 b. In preferred embodiments, hinge 16 is generally U-shaped and constitutes an integral extension of the second ends 12 b, 14 b of the first and second members 12,14. However, the hinge 16 may comprise any technique for connecting the first and second members 12, 14 at their ends 12 b, 14 b in such a manner that permits the exclusion device 10 to be moved between an open position (shown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7) and a closed position (shown, for example, in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6). The hinge 16 preferably comprises a spring or is spring-tensioned so as to urge the first and second members 12,14 away from each other. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first ends 12 a, 14 a of the first and second members 12,14 interlock with each other to maintain the first and second members 12, 14 in the closed position�or, in other words, in a fixed position relative to each other. Preferably, the interlocking is accomplished by means of one or more teeth 15 located at end 14 a, the teeth 15 interlocking with a blade 13 at end 12 a. However, the exclusion device 10 may comprise any other suitable technique to maintain the exclusion device 10 in the closed position. In use, the first member 12 and second member 14 are placed in a closed position so as to dispose them generally parallel with each other and sufficiently close to each other to compress the LAA 2 between them and block the passage of thrombi therethrough without causing the development of necrotic tissue (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The portions of the first member 12 and second member 14 that contact the LAA 2 are configured to minimize stress concentrations in the LAA 2. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the portions of the first member 12 and second member 14 that contact the LAA 2 are rounded. In some embodiments, the first and second members 12, 14 are substantially round in cross-section, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, for example. In other embodiments, the cross-section of the first and second members 12, 14 are each rectangular with rounded ends, the longer dimension of the rectangle adapted to contact the LAA 2. In embodiments wherein end 14 a comprises multiple teeth, the exclusion device may have multiple closed positions so as to adapt to various thicknesses of the walls of the LAA 2. This latter feature may also help to minimize stress concentrations in the LAA 2. It is important to note that the portion of the exclusion device 10 that clamps against the tissue is smooth and has no teeth that press against and traumatize the tissue. In some embodiments of the present invention, a flexible cover 18 is provided to cover the substantial length of the first and second members 12, 14. The cover 18 can be made of any material that is biocompatible with the LAA 2, but the preferred material is a polyester mesh. The cover 18, available preferably as variable density, tends to cushion the contact between the LAA 2 and the exclusion device 10 and assists in preventing undesired bleeding. An opening 20 in the exclusion device 10 may be provided for coupling the cover 18 to the exclusion device 10. For example, the cover 18 can be sewn to the exclusion device 10 via the opening 20. The cover 18 may also be further sewn to the heart 1 and/or LAA 2 at points 18 a and 18 b, for example. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, show another embodiment of the present invention is indicated by the reference numeral 30. The embodiment 30 includes certain components identical or similar to those shown in the embodiment 10, and like reference numerals will be used where appropriate. In the embodiment 30, first and second members 32, 34 are comparable to first and second members 12,14. However, the first member 32 and the second member 34 are generally arc-shaped when viewed from above. First and second ends 12 a, 12 b are disposed in a straight line relative to each other. If desired, the cover 18 can be used with the embodiment 30. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the shape of first and second members 32, 34 permits first and second members 32, 34 to be disposed toward or against the outer surface of the heart 1 while in use. The arc-shaped feature of the members 32, 34 therefore permits clamping of the LAA 2 to occur closer to the heart 1 while permitting hinging and locking to occur at a location somewhat away from the outer surface of the heart 1. According to one method of the present invention for excluding the LAA 2, a first member 12 is provided, the member 12 being elongate and having first and second ends 12 a and 12 b. The first member 12 has a cross-section that minimizes stress concentrations in the LAA 2, the first member 12 being long enough to extend from one side of the LAA 2 to the other. The method also includes the step of providing a second member 14, the member 14 being elongate and having first and second ends 14 a and 14 b. The second member 14 has a cross-section that minimizes stress concentrations in the LAA 2, the second member 14 being long enough to extend from one side of the LAA 2 to the other. The method also provides for disposing the first and second members 12, 14 on either side of the LAA 2 adjacent to the heart, the members 12,14 being generally parallel with each other, and moving the first and second members 12,14 sufficiently close to each other so as to compress the LAA 2 between the first and second members 12,14 without causing the development of necrotic tissue. The method also includes maintaining the first and second members 12, 14 in a compressed position relative to the LAA 2. The present invention also includes the step of providing a cover 18 as a flexible container for containing at least a portion of the first and second members 12, 14, the container being long enough to receive both the first and second members 12, 14 and being made of a material that is biocompatible with the LAA 2. The invention further includes the step of suturing the flexible container to the LAA 2. The invention also includes the step of providing the first and second members 12, 14 in an arc-shaped configuration so that clamping of the LAA can occur closer to the heart 1. As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the exclusion device 10 according to the invention is relatively easy to manufacture and simple to use. The exclusion device 10 provides a convenient way to contain thrombi formed with the LAA of a patient, thereby significantly reducing the incidence of stroke in these patients. All of this is accomplished in a manner that minimizes stress concentrations in the LAA 2 and the accompanying formation of necrotic tissue. The device 10 further avoids punctures that could lead to difficult-to-control bleeding. Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiments has been made only by way of example and that various changes may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed. Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4024868 *Oct 6, 1975May 24, 1977Robert W WilliamsPermanent aneurysm clampUS20020177863 *May 24, 2001Nov 28, 2002Mandel Stanley R.Surface treated ligating clip* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7992757May 3, 2007Aug 9, 2011Raptor Ridge LlcSystems and methods of tissue closureUS8561872Jul 11, 2011Oct 22, 2013Raptor Ridge, LlcSystems and methods of tissue closureUS8647350Aug 3, 2010Feb 11, 2014Raptor Ridge, LlcDelivery device and method for compliant tissue fastenersUS8740787 *Dec 6, 2006Jun 3, 2014Albert N. SantilliRetraction of the left atrial appendageWO2009094078A2Dec 16, 2008Jul 30, 2009Boston Scient Scimed IncResolution clip* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification606/157International ClassificationA61B17/08Cooperative ClassificationA61B2017/00243, A61B17/1227European ClassificationA61B17/122SRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services