Abstract: A self-expanding medical occlusion device treats a heart defect in a patient and is inserted into the body in minimally invasive fashion using a catheter system, and includes a braiding of thin threads which exhibits a first preliminarily definable shape as the occlusion device is being inserted into the patient's body and a second preliminarily definable shape in the implanted state, whereby the occlusion device is in a collapsed state in the first shape of the braiding and in an expanded state in the second shape of the braiding. The threads of braiding are composed of a shape memory polymer composite such that braiding deforms from a temporary shape to a permanent shape in consequence of an external stimulus, whereby the temporary shape is given in a first profile form of the braiding and the permanent shape is given in a second profile form of the braiding.

Abstract: An occlusion device includes a braiding of thin wires or threads tapering to the diameter of a catheter used for an intravascular implantation/explantation procedure and having a proximal retention area, a distal retention area at which ends of the wires or threads converge into a holder, and a cylindrical crosspiece interposed between the proximal retention area and the distal retention area, whereby the two retention areas are positioned on two sides of a shunt to be occluded in a septum following implantation while the crosspiece transverses the shunt. The holder exhibits a head section at its free end having an eyelet as a cross-hole which can be gripped and held in form-fit fashion by an implantation/explantation instrument. A surgical instrument having such a holder includes gripper tongs with gripping jaws which open and close by a push/pull system, and which force-fit grips the head section of the holder.

Abstract: A self-expanding occlusion device for occluding an atrial auricula in the heart of a patient includes a braiding of thin wires or threads given a suitable profile form by means of a molding and heat treatment procedure. The occlusion device includes a proximal retention area, a distal retention area and a center section. The occlusion device holds securely in the atrial auricula of a patient in its expanded and implanted state without damaging the tissue of the patient's heart. The proximal retention area has a flanged area which positions at the inner walls of the atrial auricula when the occlusion device is in an expanded state in the atrial auricula to be occluded, and forms a force-fit connection with the inner walls of the atrial auricula, thus holding the implanted and expanded occlusion device in the atrial auricula, whereby the distal retention area closes the opening in the atrial auricula.