Patent ID: 7871419

Claim:
A method for operating a delivery system for delivering a septal occluder device in a delivery sheath to a living body, the device adapted to be elongated along an axial direction when in the sheath in a delivery position, the device including one or more expanding portions that expand in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction when delivered to form a deployed configuration, the device further including a catch mechanism for holding the device in the deployed position when in the living body, wherein the delivery system comprising: a mandrel extending along the axial direction and through at least a portion of the device while the device is in the delivery position, wherein the mandrel contacts the catch mechanism at a proximal end of the catch mechanism, and limits movement by the catch mechanism in the proximal direction; a wire extending along the axial direction and through the mandrel and the device, the wire including a distal end that extends beyond a distal end of the device and that is adapted for limiting movement by the device in the distal direction, the wire being removable while the mandrel is still in contact with the catch mechanism; a sheath for enveloping the wire, the mandrel, and the device; and wherein the sheath, mandrel, and wire being movable relative to each other and to the device in a series of steps for allowing the expanded portions of the device to expand, and for the catch mechanism to hold the device in its expanded configuration; and the septal occulder device comprising a center joint for passing through a defect, a distal expandable component for expanding on a distal side of the defect, a proximal expandable portion for expanding on a proximal side of the defect, and a catch mechanism that includes a first stop at a distal end of the catch mechanism, and a second stop at a proximal end of the catch mechanism; the method comprising: providing the sheath into the distal side of the defect and withdrawing the sheath while limiting the device from moving in the proximal direction to allow the distal expandable component to expand on the distal side of the defect; moving the center joint relative to the catch mechanism to cause the second stop to pass through the center joint; further withdrawing the sheath while limiting the device from moving in the proximal direction to allow the proximal expandable component to expand on the proximal side of the defect; and moving the proximal end of the device relative to the catch mechanism to cause the second stop to pass through the proximal end.