PFO CLOSURE DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS OF USE
Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration.
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This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/138,565, filed May 6, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for sealing the passageway.
2. Background of the Invention
Where anatomical closure of the foramen ovale does not occur, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is created. A patent foramen ovale is a persistent, usually flap-like opening between the atrial septum primum (SP) and septum secundum (SS) of a heart. A patent foramen ovale results when either partial or no fusion of the septum primum (SP) to the septum secundum (SS) occurs. In the case of partial fusion or no fusion, a persistent passageway (PFO track) exists between the septum primum (SP) and septum secundum (SS). This opening or passageway is typically parallel to the plane of the SP, and has a mouth which is generally oval in shape.
Studies have shown that a relatively large percentage of adults have a patent foramen ovale (PFO). It is believed that embolism via a PFO may be a cause of a significant number of ischemic strokes, particularly in relatively young patients. It has been estimated that in 50% of cryptogenic strokes, a PFO is present. Blood clots which form in the venous circulation (e.g., the legs) can embolize, and may enter the arterial circulation via the PFO, subsequently entering the cerebral circulation, resulting in an embolic stroke. Blood clots may also form in the vicinity of the PFO, and embolize into the arterial circulation and into the cerebral circulation. Patients suffering a cryptogenic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the presence of a PFO often are considered for medical therapy to reduce the risk of a recurrent embolic event.
Pharmacological therapy often includes oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. These therapies may lead to certain side effects, including hemorrhage. If pharmacologic therapy is unsuitable, open heart surgery may be employed to close a PFO with stitches, for example. Like other open surgical treatments, this surgery is highly invasive, risky, requires general anesthesia, and may result in lengthy recuperation.
Nonsurgical closure of PFOs is possible with umbrella-like devices developed for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) (a condition where there is not a well developed septum primum (SP)). Many of these conventional devices used for ASDs, however, are technically complex, bulky, and difficult to deploy in a precise location. In addition, such devices may be difficult or impossible to retrieve and/or reposition should initial positioning not be satisfactory. Moreover, these devices are specially designed for ASDs and therefore may not be suitable to close and seal a PFO, particularly because the septum primum (SP) overlaps the septum secundum (SS).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, methods and devices for closing a passageway in a body, and more specifically closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO), are provided.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method of sealing a passageway in a heart is provided. The method includes advancing an abrasion device into the passageway to be sealed, abrading at least a portion of the tissue surfaces forming the passageway, withdrawing the abrasion device from the passageway, and forcing abraded portions of the tissue surfaces of the passageway against one another for a period of time.
According to another aspect of the invention, a device for sealing a passageway in a human body is provided. The device comprises a catheter having a distal portion, and at least one suture lumen, the at least one suture lumen containing a suture having an anchor at an end of the suture.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, an assembly for sealing a passageway in a human body is provided. The assembly includes a delivery catheter, a suture connected to a barbed anchor, and a support tube configured to surround and support the suture.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of sealing a passageway in a heart is provided. The method comprises advancing a hollow tubular structure into the passageway to be sealed, engaging the walls of the passageway with the hollow tubular structure, and flattening the hollow tubular structure.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of sealing a passageway in a heart includes advancing a catheter into the passageway, applying adhesive to the walls of the passageway, withdrawing the catheter from the passageway, and forcing portions of the walls of the passageway against one another for a period of time sufficient to allow the adhesive to at least partially cure.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of sealing a passageway in a heart is provided. The method comprises advancing a delivery device having an expandable end into the passageway, wherein the delivery device includes at least two suture lumens, each suture lumen having an open end positioned in the passageway when the delivery device is advanced into the passageway, expanding the expandable end, advancing a suture-anchor assembly out of the end of each suture lumen, penetrating the tissue forming the passageway with an anchor of each suture-anchor assembly, and pulling the passageway closed with the anchored sutures.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of sealing a passageway between a septum primum and a septum secundum in a heart is provided. The method includes advancing a delivery catheter into the right atrium, advancing an anchor and suture assembly out of the deliver catheter, and passing the anchor and suture assembly through the septum secundum and through the septum primum.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The various figures show embodiments of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure devices and methods of using the devices to close a PFO. The devices and related methods are described herein in connection with use in sealing a PFO. These devices, however, also are suitable for closing other openings or passageways, including other such openings in the heart, for example atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and patent ductus arterioses, and openings or passageways in other portions of a body such as an arteriovenous fistula. The invention therefore is not limited to use of the inventive closure devices to close PFOs.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an abrasion device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
Alternatively, the abrasive elements may be formed by a plurality of small protuberances molded on the outside of the balloon, such that the outer surface of the balloon 12 has an abrasive quality once it is inflated. The abrasion device 10 need not utilize a balloon 12, but could be fabricated of an expandable material having an abrasive quality or a non-expandable tube-like element with an abrasive quality.
The abrasion device 10 is attached to a catheter 16 (
Since the patients are typically heparinized during endovascular procedures, and heparinization may inhibit the adhesion of the tissues to one another, it may be desirable to counter the effect of the heparin with protamine, bringing the patient back to a more normal coagulation state. However, if the heparin is countered, it is desired to have any remaining devices such as the balloon catheter in the inferior vena cava (IVC) to be coated with an appropriate anti-thrombotic coating such as heparin.
In addition to an adverse heparin effect, other problems may prevent adherence between the septum primum (SP) and septum secundum (SS). Various methods are provided herein to enhance or ensure adherence between the abraded tissues. For example, during each heart beat, the RA pressure may be temporarily higher than the LA, potentially preventing the denuded tissue surfaces of the PFO track from adhering to one another long enough to promote long term healing of the surfaces in an apposed and closed condition. Therefore, a more active closure of the PFO track coupled with the abrading step is preferred, at least for a period of several minutes, to assure long-term closure of the PFO track.
One method of causing a more active temporary closure of the PFO track is illustrated in
An alternative active temporary closure method is illustrated in
After a period of several minutes to several hours has passed as one of the above methods is employed, the PFO track will be reliably closed enough to assure the long term healing of the PFO track in a closed condition. At this point, any indwelling devices can be removed from the patient. One advantage of this PFO closure technique is that no foreign body remains in the patient, eliminating issues of foreign body reaction, thrombosis, or fatigue failure.
These techniques of abrading the tissue surfaces of the PFO track and temporarily actively closing the abraded PFO track, as described above in conjunction with
According to another aspect of the present invention, a PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown generically in
The device thus has a first configuration during deployment within the PFO track that is tubular, for example circular, as shown in
Delivery and deployment of generic SFC device 50 is illustrated in
A preferred embodiment of an SFC device 150 is shown in
As shown in
According to another aspect of the invention, the SFC device 150 may include an adhesive tissue attaching mechanism. As embodied herein and shown in
In use, the SFC device 150 is positioned on a balloon 172 of a balloon catheter 170. A detachable tube defines an adhesive delivery lumen 160, and provides for adhesive to be delivered to the lumens of struts 152, 154. The delivery lumen 160 is connected to a source of adhesive at a proximal end of the catheter 170 by any suitable means known in the art. The SFC device 150 on the balloon catheter 170, carrying SFC device 150, is passed from an access site, preferably in the femoral vein, into the PFO track (
Alternatively, it may be possible to deflate and remove the balloon 172 and catheter 170 prior to curing of the adhesive. In such a case, the SFC device 150 will flatten prior to the walls of the PFO track adhering to the device 150. Therefore, it would be desirable to use one of the methods described with respect to
According to another aspect of the present invention, an alternative PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
Use of the PBC 180 in closing a PFO track is illustrated in
The bonded-in balloon 182 will heal in place, resulting in a robust long-term closure of the PFO track. This closure technique results in a minimum amount of foreign body with virtually no contact with blood in either the RA or LA, and as with all devices within the present application, little chance or consequence of mechanical fatigue failure. Also, the PBC 180 and method could be combined with a prior abrading step, as previously described in connection with the device of
Preferably, the balloon 182 is sized to have a diameter of a size relatively similar to the diameter of the PFO track once expanded, i.e., the perimeter of the balloon is approximately equal to the perimeter of the PFO track, and a length equal to or somewhat shorter than the length of the PFO track. Suitable biocompatible polymers for the porous balloon are preferably polyethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, PET, Nylon, silicone, polyurethane, or Pebax. The balloon 182 is preferably inflatable by a fluid adhesive. A preferred adhesive is one which cures upon exposure to moisture, such as a cyanoacrylate. The adhesive may be provided to balloon 182 by, for example, a lumen in tube 186 connected to a source of adhesive.
Alternatively, the balloon 182 of the PBC 180 need not be left in the PFO track. In such an embodiment, the tube 186 need not be detachable. In use, the porous balloon 182 is positioned in the PFO track and inflated as shown in
In addition, in this embodiment where balloon 182 is not left in the PFO track, the PFO track may be forced closed utilizing any of the steps described above in connection with
According to another aspect of the present invention, an alternative embodiment of a PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
In use, balloon 282 is used in a manner similar to that described above with respect to
According to another aspect of the present invention, a PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
In use, the porous balloon catheter is used in a similar manner as that described in connection with the steps shown in
According to another aspect of the invention, an alternative embodiment of a PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
The delivery device 400 contains a plurality of suture lumens 406, one for each suture-anchor assembly 401. Each suture lumen 406 terminates in an opening 408. As shown in
In use, the delivery device 400 is positioned within the PFO track in a non-deployed condition. The suture-anchor assemblies 401 are positioned within the suture lumens 406, with the anchors 402 also residing in the suture lumens 406. Once the suture lumen openings 408 are in a desired position within the PFO track, the expandable head 410 is deployed (i.e., the balloon 410 is inflated). Then the suture-anchor assemblies 401 are advanced until the anchors 402 emerge from the suture lumen openings 408 and penetrate into the tissue forming the PFO track. To assist in supporting suture anchor assemblies 401 during advancement and penetration, it may be useful to surround the suture ties 404 with separate tubular support members (not shown), which are advanced with the suture anchor assemblies 401. The tubular support members are removed proximally after anchors 402 are deployed. This step in the procedure is illustrated in
Once the anchors are firmly engaged in the tissue, balloon 410 is deflated and the delivery device 400 is removed, leaving the sutures 404 extending outside the access site of the patient. While two sutures are shown, it is contemplated that any number of sutures, two or more, could be placed. The sutures 404 are tied into a knot 412 by any suitable method, as shown in
While these suture and anchor assemblies 401 can be used as a sole mechanism for PFO closure, it is preferable to combine this device with a prior abrading of the walls of the PFO track as described previously. When combined as such, the PFO track will heal to a robustly closed condition.
According to another aspect of the invention, another embodiment of a PFO closure device is provided. As embodied herein and shown in
To help facilitate advancement of the suture and anchor assembly 501 across the SS and SP, it may be necessary to provide additional support to the relatively flexible suture 504.
After the barb-like anchor 502 is deployed, a lock device 508, preferably a one-way device, such as, for example, a releasable fixation mechanism (disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,813, filed on Jun. 1, 2001, and entitled “Closure Devices, Related Delivery Methods and Tools, and Related Methods of Use,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), is advanced along the suture 504, pulling the SP and SS together. The remaining suture length is then cut by suitable techniques. While this suture-based concept may be performed as a sole therapy it is preferable to combine this suture closure with a prior abrading of the tissue forming the PFO track to facilitate a robust long-term closure of the PFO.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples are exemplary, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
1-87. (canceled)
88. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising:
- advancing a delivery device having an expandable end into the passageway, the delivery device including at least two suture lumens, each suture lumen having an open end positioned in the passageway when the delivery device is advanced into the passageway;
- expanding the expandable end;
- advancing a suture-anchor assembly out of the open end of each suture lumen;
- penetrating the tissue forming the passageway with an anchor of each suture-anchor assembly; and
- pulling the passageway closed with the anchored sutures.
89. The method of claim 88, wherein the pulling step includes tying the sutures in a knot.
90. The method of claim 88, further comprising abrading portions of the tissue surfaces forming the passageway prior to advancing the delivery device.
91. The method of claim 88, wherein the expanding step includes inflating a balloon inside of the expandable end.
92-98. (canceled)
99. A method of sealing a passageway in a heart, comprising:
- introducing a suture delivery system to the passageway, the suture delivery system including at least two suture lumens, each suture lumen containing a suture-anchor assembly;
- advancing the suture-anchor assemblies out of the at least two suture lumens;
- penetrating the tissue forming the passageway with an anchor of each suture-anchor assembly; and
- pulling the passageway closed with the anchored sutures.
100. The method of claim 99, wherein the pulling step includes tying the sutures in a knot.
101. The method of claim 99, wherein the passageway to be sealed is a patent foramen ovale, and the penetrating step includes penetrating the septum secundum with one of the anchors and penetrating the septum primum with another of the anchors.
102. A system for sealing a passageway in a human body, the system comprising:
- a suture delivery device having at least two suture lumens; and
- at least one suture positioned within each of the suture lumens.
103. The system of claim 102, further comprising an anchor at an end of each suture.
104. The system of claim 103, wherein each anchor includes a barbed end.
105. The system of claim 102, wherein one of the at least two suture lumens is positioned on a first side of the suture delivery device and the other of the at least two suture lumens is positioned on an opposite side of the suture delivery device.
106. The system of claim 105, wherein the at least two suture lumens are spaced about 180° apart.
107. The system of claim 102, wherein each of the two suture lumens has an open end.
108. The system of claim 102, wherein the suture delivery device includes an expandable distal portion.
109. The system of claim 108, wherein the expandable distal portion of the suture delivery device includes a balloon.
110. The system of claim 102, further comprising a lock device.
111. The system of claim 110, wherein the lock device is configured to engage the suture and move in only one direction along the suture.
112. The system of claim 102, wherein the passageway is a patent foramen ovale.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 16, 2010
Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc. (St. Paul, MN)
Inventors: David J. Blaeser (Champlin, MN), Peter T. Keith (St. Paul, MN), Jerome K. Grudem, JR. (Rogers, MN), Scott A. Olson (Zimmerman, MN), Steven S. Hackett (Maple Grove, MN), Thomas V. Ressemann (St. Cloud, MN), Joel D. Phillips (Minneapolis, MN), Mark R. Christianson (Darwin, MN), Dennis W. Wahr (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 12/725,886
International Classification: A61B 17/03 (20060101);