Patent ID: 7462188

Claim:
A method for suturing a patent foramen ovale (PFO), the method comprising: providing a suturing device including a housing having a foot actuation handle and a needle actuation handle, the housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible shaft extending from the distal end of the housing, the flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a foot housing extending from the distal end of the shaft, the foot housing defining a pre-formed curve portion formed to carry a pivotable first foot, the first foot being operatively connected to a foot actuation wire, a pivotable second foot, the second foot being operatively connected to the foot actuation wire the foot actuation wire being connected to the foot actuation handle; at least one needle extending from the needle actuation handle and through the shaft; a length of suture having two ends; and a distal sheath extending from the foot housing, the distal sheath defining a guidewire lumen; advancing the suturing device through the inferior vena cava, right atrium, and patent foramen ovate such that the foot is positioned in the left atrium; deploying the first foot to a deployed position; orienting the suture device such that a distal portion of tissue of the PFO is received in the pre-formed curve portion of the foot housing advancing the at least one needle through tissue and further into a first needle receptacle; and advancing at least one end of the length of suture through the tissue to suture the PFO, wherein the foot housing further carries a pivotable second foot, the second foot being operatively connected to the foot actuation wire; said method further including: prior to the advancing at least one end of the length of suture, deploying the second foot to a deployed position; and advancing a second needle through tissue and further into a second needle receptacle; and wherein the advancing of one of the one needle and the second needle is performed in the proximal direction, and the other of the second needle and the one needle is performed in the distal direction.