Patent ID: 8480708

Claim:
A method for occluding an atrial appendage of a heart, the method comprising the steps of: percutaneously introducing at least a portion of a first device into a vein of a patient and advancing the same through the vein, into a right atrium, and ultimately into an atrial appendage cavity of a heart, the first device comprising: a first tube having a distal end; and a balloon capable of inflation and deflation, the balloon coupled to the first tube at or near the distal end of the first tube; percutaneously introducing at least a portion of a second device into the vein and advancing the same through the vein, into the right atrium, and ultimately into a pericardial space surrounding the heart from inside the heart by engaging a targeted tissue on an interior wall of the heart, puncturing the tissue using the second device, and advancing a distal end of the second device through the punctured targeted tissue and into the pericardial space, the second device comprising: a second tube sized and shaped for insertion into the pericardial space surrounding the heart, the second tube comprising a lumen extending at least partially from a second tube distal end to a second tube proximal end; and a loop sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the lumen of the second tube, wherein the loop is capable of protraction from the second tube distal end; positioning the balloon of the first device at least partially within the atrial appendage cavity; inflating the balloon to displace blood present within the atrial appendage cavity; positioning the loop of the second device around the atrial appendage; tightening the loop around the atrial appendage; deflating the balloon to allow for ultimate removal of the first device from the atrial appendage cavity; and separating the loop from the second device so that the loop remains positioned and tightened around the atrial appendage.