Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6652555?dq=7,444,563
Timestamp: 2015-03-03 09:34:02
Document Index: 679104015

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 09', 'application No. 09', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 60']

Patent US6652555 - Barrier device for covering the ostium of left atrial appendage - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage is disclosed. The membrane prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading to strokes and heart attacks. The membrane may be permeable or impermeable...http://www.google.com/patents/US6652555?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6652555 - Barrier device for covering the ostium of left atrial appendageAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6652555 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/642,291Publication dateNov 25, 2003Filing dateAug 18, 2000Priority dateOct 27, 1999Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2386894A1, CN1195457C, CN1384726A, DE60010105D1, DE60010105T2, EP1223890A1, EP1223890B1, EP1433437A2, US20040049210, WO2001030267A1Publication number09642291, 642291, US 6652555 B1, US 6652555B1, US-B1-6652555, US6652555 B1, US6652555B1InventorsRobert A. VanTassel, Robert G. Hauser, Robert Schwartz, David Holmes, Gregg S. Sutton, Thomas E. Borillo, Jeffrey WelchOriginal AssigneeAtritech, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (99), Non-Patent Citations (9), Referenced by (69), Classifications (40), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetBarrier device for covering the ostium of left atrial appendage
US 6652555 B1Abstract
What is claimed is: 1. A method of securing a membrane over an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient to prevent thrombus from leaving the left atrial appendage, comprising:
providing a membrane configured to extend over the ostium of the left atrial appendage, the membrane having an outer periphery with a dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of the ostium; positioning the membrane over the ostium such that the outer periphery is in direct contact with an atrial wall surrounding the ostium; and securing the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium. 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein securing the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises applying an adhesive between the outer periphery of the membrane and the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.
3. The method defined in claim 1, which further comprises:
providing a plurality of engagement members attached to the membrane at a plurality of locations about the outer periphery of the membrane, wherein securing the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises piercing the atrial wall with the engagement members. 4. The method defined in claim 3, wherein providing a plurality of engagement members comprises providing a plurality of engagement members each having an elongated shank portion extending distally from the outer periphery of the membrane and defining a spacing substantially identical to an interior dimension of the ostium,
wherein securing the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises extending the elongated shank portions into the ostium. 5. The method defined in claim 4, wherein providing a plurality of engagement members comprises providing a plurality of engagement members each having a barbed portion configured to engage an interior wall of the atrial appendage,
wherein securing the outer periphery of the membrane to the atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises engaging the interior wall of the atrial appendage with the barbed portion. 6. The method defined in claim 1, which further comprises:
providing a securement structure extending distally from the membrane, wherein securing the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises inserting the securement structure into the ostium, and engaging an interior wall of the left atrial appendage with the securement structure. 7. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the securement structure is configured for annular enlargement by inflation of an expansion structure, and
wherein engaging the interior wall of the left atrial appendage with the securement structure comprises enlarging the securement structure by expanding the expansion structure located in an interior of the securement structure. 8. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the securement structure is resiliently biased in a enlarged configuration for engagement with the interior wall of the left atrial appendage and may be constrained in a reduced size configuration for installation in the left atrial appendage,
wherein positioning the membrane over the ostium such that the outer periphery is in direct contact with an atrial wall surrounding the ostium comprises constraining the securement structure in a reduced size, and wherein engaging the interior wall of the left atrial appendage with the securement structure comprises allowing the securement structure to resiliently enlarge to the enlarged configuration.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/614,091, filed Jul. 11, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/428,008, filed Oct. 27, 1999, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/196,454, filed Apr. 11, 2000, U.S. provisional application No. 60/206,967, filed May 25, 2000, U.S. provisional application No. 60/209,511, filed Jun. 5, 2000, U.S. provisional application No. 60/211,896, filed Jun. 16, 2000, and U.S. provisional application No. 60/217,125, filed Jul. 10, 2000, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of a delivery catheter having a disk, a spring and membrane therein in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a disk, spring and membrane after being expanded out of the delivery catheter of FIG. 5 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage having a disk, a membrane and a spring therebetween in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage shown in a collapsed position in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage having a disk, a spring, a membrane and vacuum in the catheter in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage showing an umbrella folded for entering the atrial appendage in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage showing the umbrella opened in the atrial appendage to secure the umbrella into the wall of the atrial appendage in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 12 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage showing the umbrella and membrane positioned across the ostium of the atrial appendage in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of a heart showing an atrium and its associated atrial appendage showing the atrial appendage reduced to a minimum volume by a disk and spring squeezing the appendage against a membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a filtering membrane and apparatus for installing the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the filtering membrane and apparatus illustrated in FIG. 14, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 15 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an early stage in the installation of the apparatus of FIG. 14, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17, illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 19 illustrates another embodiment of the filtering membrane and apparatus for installing the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the filtering membrane and apparatus illustrated in FIG. 19 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 21 is a planar development of the apparatus for attaching the filtering membrane illustrated in FIGS. 19-20 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 21, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 23 is a planar development of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 21 in an expanded configuration, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the filtering membrane and apparatus for attaching the filtering membrane of FIG. 20, illustrated in an expanded configuration in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 25 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 26 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 27 is an elevational view of yet another embodiment of the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 28 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an early stage in the procedure of installing of the filtering membrane of FIGS. 19-28 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 29 illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 30 illustrating a still later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 19-23.
FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 32 illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 33 illustrating a still later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 35(a) illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 19-20 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 35(b) illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 35(a) in an expanded configuration in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 35(b) illustrating another embodiment in accordance with the invention
FIG. 37 illustrates yet another embodiment of the filtering membrane and apparatus for attaching the filtering membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 38 is an elevational view taken from direction 38 of FIG. 37 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 39 is elevational view taken from direction 39 of FIG. 37 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 40 is a sectional view illustrating the apparatus of FIGS. 37-39 along with additional apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a first installed configuration of the apparatus of FIGS. 37-39 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 41 illustrating a second installed configuration of the apparatus of FIGS. 37-39 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 44 illustrates a further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 45 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 44 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 46 illustrates a still further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 47 illustrates additional apparatus for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 44-46 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 48 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 47 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 49 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 44-45 illustrating an early stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 50 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 49 illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 51 illustrates yet another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 52 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 51 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 53 illustrates additional apparatus for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 51-52 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 54 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 51 and 53 in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 51 illustrating an early stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 56 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 55 illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 57 illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 58 illustrates yet another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 57 illustrating an early stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 59 illustrating a later stage in the procedure in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 61 is a simplified elevational view of another embodiment of the membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 62 is a side view of the membrane taken from direction 62 of FIG. 61, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 63 is view in partial section of the membrane of FIGS. 61-62 illustrating a typical use in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 64 is view in partial section of the yet another embodiment of the membrane, illustrating a typical use in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 65 is a simplified elevational view of still another embodiment of the membrane in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 66 is a side view of the membrane taken from direction 66 of FIG. 65, in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 67 is view in partial section of the membrane of FIGS. 65-66 illustrating a typical use in accordance with the invention.
To prevent thrombus 30 from forming in the left atrial appendage 13, or to prevent thrombus formed therein from leaving and entering the blood stream which may cause a heart attack, a stroke or ischemia, a membrane 40 is permanently attached over or across the ostium 20 of the atrial appendage 13. The membrane 40 can be made of bicompatible materials, such as, for example, ePFTE (e.g., Gortex�), polyester (e.g., Dacron�), PTFE (e.g., Teflon�), silicone, urethane, metal fibers, or other biocompatible polymers.
For each of the embodiments described hereinbelow, the membrane 40 may be substantially impermeable with respect to the flow of blood. For an impermeable membrane, neither blood nor thrombus is permitted to flow through the membrane. As described hereinabove, this structure prevents thrombus inside the atrial appendage from entering the bloodstream and causing heart attack, stroke, or ischemia. The impermeable membrane may be fabricated from materials described above, such as polyurethane, polyester (e.g., Dacron�), ePFTE (e.g., Gortex�) in textile, braid, or substrate form. The impermeable membrane could also be comprised of a combination of two or more materials. In some cases, the outer periphery of the membrane may be supported by struts fabricated from metal (e.g., stainless steel or nitinol) or plastic, or by cells or braid. (See, e.g., FIGS. 20, 22, 24, 50, 56). This additional structure may provide additional securement of the outer periphery of the membrane against the atrial wall surrounding the ostium in order to provide a leakproof seal.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cross section of a human heart showing a thrombus 30 in the left atrial appendage 13. The figures also show the atrial appendage ostium 20 which is to have a membrane 40 placed over it to prevent the thrombus 30 from escaping out of the atrial appendage 13 into the left atrium 11 and thus into the blood stream, which could cause a stroke, a heart attack or ischemia.
FIG. 5 shows a delivery catheter 125 containing a collapsed membrane 40 and a collapsed disk 130 connected to the membrane 40 by a spring 90 on catheter 21. The disk 130 may be made of a flexible woven metal or a flexible woven metal with a thin permeable polymer sandwiched inside. Disk 130 may also be a polymer weave. The disk 130 is flexible and compresses or folds so it fits into the delivery catheter 125 and expands to its desired shape after release from the delivery catheter 125. Similarly, membrane 40 compresses or folds to fit into the delivery catheter 125 and expands to its desired shape after release. Membrane 40 is larger than the ostium 20. FIG. 6 shows the membrane 40, disk 130 and spring 90 from FIG. 5 in an expanded configuration outside of the delivery catheter 125.
FIG. 6 shows the spring 90 connecting the membrane 40 and the disk 130 for urging them together. In other embodiments an elastic tether or a tether with teeth and a pawl on the membrane 40 to form a ratchet can also be used to pull the membrane 40 and the disk 130 together. Since membrane 40 is larger than the ostium 20, the outer periphery of membrane 40 is in contact with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.
FIG. 7 shows the device of FIG. 5 applied to the left atrial appendage 13 having thrombus 30. After the device is applied, the spring 90 pulls the disk 130 toward the membrane 40, collapsing the left atrial appendage 13 and trapping the thrombus 30 therein as shown in FIG. 8. The spring 90 secures the outer periphery of the membrane 40 in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium 20.
FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the device in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein the catheter 21 is equipped with a vacuum 140 for sucking out blood and thrombosis 30 found in the left atrial appendage 13. The vacuum 140 will help collapse the left atrial appendage 13 such that spring 90 need not be as large as in FIG. 7.
FIG. 13 shows the left atrial appendage 13 compressed such that the volume of the atrial appendage is reduced to almost nothing. With the volume reduced the atrial appendage will not have a large volume of blood which can produce a thrombus. In the embodiment shown disk 130 and spring 90 pull the left atrial appendage 13 toward membrane 40. Although FIG. 13 shows the use of a disk 130 and spring 90 to act on the left appendage, any method to reduce the volume of the atrial appendage as much as possible may be used.
FIG. 14 also illustrates a structure for introducing fluid into the balloon structure 402, such as catheter apparatus 410. Catheter apparatus 410 includes an outlet port 412 at its distal end portion for ejecting fluid from the catheter apparatus 410. Outlet port 412 may be connected to the balloon introduction port 408, which in turn communicates with the internal lumen of tube 404 and the interior of balloon structure 402.
FIG. 15 illustrates the membrane 40, the balloon structure 402, the tube 404, together with the catheter 410 attached to the tube 404, in a compacted configuration within a delivery tube 422. More particularly, balloon structure 402 is in its collapsed state and membrane 40 is flexible and compressed or folded to fit into the delivery tube 422. Membrane 40 is designed to expand into a disc-like shape after release from tube 422. FIG. 16 illustrates the certain structures pertinent to the interconnection of catheter 410 with tube 404. More particularly, outlet port 412 of catheter 410 may be provided with narrow tube 424 which is received within balloon introduction port 408 and maintains a valve 426 in an open position when outlet port 412 is connected to inlet port 408. When outlet port 412 is removed from balloon introduction port 408, valve 426 may close to prevent fluid from leaving balloon structure 402, as shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 17 illustrates a later stage in the installation procedure wherein the membrane 40, the balloon structure 402, the tube 404, and the catheter 410 have been advanced from the delivery tube 422 (not shown in FIG. 17). The balloon structure 402 is positioned within the left atrial appendage 13 such that the outer periphery of membrane 40 is positioned adjacent the atrial wall surrounding the ostium 20. Fluid is subsequently introduced into the catheter 410 which passes through tube 404 to expand the balloon structure 402, as illustrated in FIG. 18. The balloon structure 402 expands within the atrial appendage 13 and secures the membrane 40 in position. The valve mechanism 426 (not shown in FIG. 18) of balloon introduction port 408 prevents the fluid from passing out of the balloon structure 402 when the catheter 410 is detached from the balloon port 408 and subsequently removed from the atrium. As described above, membrane 40 may have an impermeable structure which prevents thrombus for exiting the atrial appendage 13, but which also prevents blood flow through the membrane 40. Membrane 40 may alternatively be a permeable structure which allows blood to flow therethrough but which blocks or substantially inhibits thrombi, clots or emboli from exiting the atrial appendage 13, and entering the bloodstream of the patient.
FIGS. 21 and 23 illustrate planar developments of attachment apparatus 440. The structure of attachment apparatus 440 preferably allows the length 446 of the apparatus in its initial configuration (FIG. 21) to remain substantially constant with respect to the length 456 in its expanded configuration (FIG. 23). In order to achieve this expansion while maintaining substantially constant length, attachment apparatus 440 is provided with a configuration having several serpentine segments 458, 460, and 462. Adjacent serpentine segments are interconnected by a plurality of longitudinal struts, e.g., rings 457 and 460 are interconnected by struts 464 and rings 460 and 462 are interconnected by struts 466. A plurality of members 470 at the distal end portion of apparatus 440 may provide an attachment point for the membrane 40. More particularly, radial members 471 are configured to extend radially outward (FIG. 22) to provide a location for attachment of the outer periphery of membrane 40 and to provide a surface for attachment to the atrial wall. As will be described herein, radial members 471 may be expanded to the radially outward configuration by an expansion member such as a balloon. In one embodiment, the materials or thickness of members 471 may be selected in order to allow members 471 to expand to a greater extent than the rest of the attachment member 440. Alternatively, members 471 may be fabricated from a self-expanding material, such as, e.g., nitinol, wherein members are normally biased in the radially outward configuration.
FIG. 24 illustrates attachment member 440 in an expanded configuration, wherein length 456 remains substantially constant with respect to the length 446 of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 30. Diameter 472 is substantially larger than diameter 444 (FIG. 20) in order to secure itself against the interior of the atrial appendage 13 and to secure membrane 40 in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium 20, as will be described herein. Members 471 extend radially outward, and provide structure to the outer periphery of membrane 40.
FIG. 25 illustrates membrane 40 a having a composite construction comprising filtering section 474 a and elastic section 476 a. The filtering section 474 a is fabricated from a filtering material that provides the function of filtering the blood to allow the blood to pass therethrough while blocking or substantially inhibiting the passage of clots, thrombus or emboli therethrough, as described above. The elastic section 476 a is fabricated from an elastic material, e.g., silicone, urethane or other similar material, that stretches to enlarge opening 458 a to allow the balloon structure 452 or other intervention devices, such as, e.g., wires, catheters or the like, to pass therethrough and to subsequently return to its initial size. The initial size of aperture 458 a provides similar characteristic to inhibit clots, thrombus or emboli from passing through 458 a as filtering material of filtering section 474 a. In this configuration, elastic material 476 a extends substantially across the entire diameter 472 a of the membrane 40 a. Membrane 40 b (FIG. 26) is constructed with a filtering section 474 b (i.e., the same material as filtering section 474 a) and an elastic section 476 b (i.e., the same elastic material as elastic section 476 a). In membrane 40 b, the filtering section 474 b substantially concentrically surrounds the elastic section 476 b. The elastic section 476 b is provided with an opening 458 b that expands to allow the balloon structure 452 or other interventional devices to pass therethrough and to return to initial size in order to provide substantially the same characteristic of inhibiting the passage of thrombus, clots and emboli from passing therethrough as the filtering material of the filtering section 474 b. Membrane 40c (FIG. 27) is constructed with a filtering section 474 c (i.e., the same material as filtering section 474 a) and an elastic section 476 c (i.e., the same elastic material as elastic section 476 a). In membrane 40 c, the filtering section 474 c substantially concentrically surrounds an elastic section, such as substantially elliptical section 476 c. The elastic section 476 c is provided with an aperture, such as a slit 458 c that expands to allow the balloon structure 452 or other interventional devices to pass therethrough and to return to initial size to provide substantially the same characteristic of inhibiting the passage of thrombus, clots and emboli from passing therethrough as the filtering material of the faltering section 474 b. Membrane 40 d (FIG. 28) may be fabricated from the same material as filtering section 474 a, above, in several sections, such as sections 475 d and 477 d, which overlap at region 479 d to form an opening therethrough for balloon structure 452 or other interventional devices. It is further contemplated that three or more sections of filtering material may be used in an overlapping configuration, in a manner similar to, for example, the �aperture� configuration of an optical device. The balloon structure 452 may be passed through the opening between sections 475 d and 477 d. After the balloon structure 452 is removed, the overlapping structure substantially closes the opening and provides substantially the same characteristic of inhibiting the passage of thrombus, clots and emboli from passing therethrough as the filtering material of the filtering sections 475 d and 477 d. FIGS. 29-31 illustrate the procedure for installing attachment apparatus 440 and membrane 40 in the atrial appendage 13. In an initial step (FIG. 29), balloon structure 452, along with attachment apparatus 440 are inserted into the atrial appendage 13 in its initial, compact configuration. In FIG. 30, expansion fluid is passed through catheter 450 and exits through port 453 to fill the interior of balloon structure 452. Balloon structure 452 expands, thereby radially enlarging attachment apparatus 440, as described with respect to FIGS. 21-24, above. In a preferred embodiment, proximal portion 455 of balloon 452 is constructed to expand to a greater extent in order to deflect members 471 radially outward. Alternatively, members 471 may be constructed to expand to a greater extent than the rest of the attachment member 440 when expanded by balloon 452. In another embodiment, members 471 may be fabricated from a self-expanding material, such as, e.g., nitinol, wherein members 471 are normally biased in the radially outward configuration. Consequently, the outer periphery of membrane 40 is expanded to be in direct contact with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium 20. Members 471 provide additional support to provide a good seal with the edge of the membrane 40.
FIG. 36 illustrates mechanical expansion structure 482, which is substantially identical to mechanical expansion structure 472. Sleeve 489 interacts with linkage members 478 to controllably move contact members 474, as described above with respect to sleeve 479. Sleeve 489 is longitudinally slidable with respect to elongated member 491. A locking structure (not shown) may also be provided to fix the position of sleeve 489 (and thus contact members 474) with respect to elongated member 491.
FIG. 40 illustrates attachment apparatus 500 and membrane 40 in a compacted configuration for installation in the atrial appendage 13. Preferably, a delivery catheter apparatus 520 is used to introduce the attachment apparatus 500 and membrane 40 to the atrial appendage. The curved portions 504 a/504 b are deflected proximally toward parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the catheter 520, and the engagement members 508 are deflected distally toward parallelism with the longitudinal axis. An inner member 522 is slidably received within the interior of catheter 520 and may be moved relatively longitudinally with respect to catheter apparatus 520 in order to deploy and install the attachment apparatus 500 and membrane 40.
As illustrated in FIGS. 61-62, membrane 40 is provided with a plurality of engagement members 400, which may be attached to and positioned about the outer periphery of membrane 40,and which may have shank portions 402 and barbed free ends 404 which in this case may extend radially outward from the engagement members 400.
FIG. 64 illustrates another embodiment wherein the membrane 40 covers the ostium 20 of the atrial appendage 13. A biocompatible tissue adhesive 420, such as fibrin glue or cyanoacrylate or a similar material, may be applied about the outer periphery of the membrane and used to attach the membrane 40 directly to the ostium 20 or the wall of the atrium surrounding the ostium 20. Membrane 40 blocks thrombus from leaving the atrial appendage and entering the bloodstream. A filtering permeable membrane may alternatively be used, which allows blood to flow through while substantially inhibiting thrombus.
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