Patent ID: 8828049

Claim:
A method for closing a PFO, the method comprising: inserting a tubular structure into the PFO via a catheter, the tubular structure having a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein both of the ends has a first plurality of slits having a first length that extend in an axial direction from the proximal and distal end of the tubular structure to form bases for struts, and a second plurality of slits having a second length shorter than the first length that extend in an axial direction from the bases of the tubular structure and are offset from the first plurality of slits to form struts, said struts having a free end, wherein the tubular structure is a polymer, a metal with shape memory properties, or a metal with elastic recovery properties, such that radial extension of the struts is caused by at least one of a temperature change associated with insertion into the PFO and elastic recovery upon removal of the tubular structure from the catheter; causing the struts to extend radially away from the central axis such that the free ends of the struts on both the proximal and distal ends curve toward one another to form a plurality of opposing parallel open loops on both the proximal and distal ends, so the struts secure a central portion of the tubular structure within a tunnel of the PFO; and closing the PFO.