Patent ID: 8323309

Claim:
An implantable device for positioning within the left atrial appendage of a patient, comprising: an implant having a proximal hub, a distal hub, an intermediate hub and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the implant having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; a release element and a first receiving portion on the proximal hub of the implant sized and configured to releasably couple the implant to the release element; wherein relative movement between the proximal hub and the distal hub of the implant causes the implant to move either from its collapsed configuration to its expanded configuration, or from its expanded configuration to its collapsed configuration, and wherein the implant comprises a first apex portion between the proximal hub and said intermediate hub and a second apex portion between said intermediate hub and said distal hub, the implant in its expanded configuration increasing radially in dimension from the proximal hub to the first apex portion and then decreasing radially in dimension from the first apex portion to the intermediate hub; and increasing radially in dimension from the intermediate hub to the second apex portion and then decreasing radially in dimension from the second apex portion to the distal hub; wherein said first apex portion has a larger diameter than said second apex portion; and a barrier permitting blood flow within the implant and attached to the implant proximal the intermediate hub, the barrier having a porosity within the range of from about 10 microns to about 100 microns.