Filter apparatus for ostium of left atrial appendage

Abstract

A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage is disclosed. The membrane prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading to strokes and heart attacks. The membrane may be permeable or impermeable with respect to blood flow. The membrane is configured to extend over the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The membrane has an outer periphery with a dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of the ostium. Securement means is provided to secure the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium. The securement means may located between the membrane and the atrial wall, or the securement means may extend distally from the membrane through the ostium.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for attachment over an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient, comprising: 
 a membrane configured to extend over the ostium of the left atrial appendage, the membrane having an outer periphery with a dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of the ostium; and    securement means to secure the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the securement means is located between the outer periphery of the membrane and the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 2 , wherein the securement means comprises an adhesive applied between the outer periphery of the membrane and the atrial wall surrounding the membrane.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive is cyanoacrylate.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 2 , wherein the securement means comprises a plurality of engagement members attached to the membrane at a plurality of locations about the outer periphery of the membrane.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus defined in  claim 5 , wherein the engagement members are configured to penetrate the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , wherein the engagement members each comprise a barbed configuration to engage the atrial wall surrounding the ostium to inhibit removal of the engagement member from the atrial wall.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 5 , wherein the engagement members each comprise a shank portion extending distally from the outer periphery of the membrane and at least partially into the ostium.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus defined in  claim 8 , wherein the engagement members mounted on opposite sides of the membrane define a spacing substantially identical to an interior dimension of the ostium.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus defined in  claim 8 , wherein the engagement members each comprise a barbed configuration to engage an interior wall of the atrial appendage.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the securement means comprises a structure configured to extend distally from the membrane into the ostium and to engage a portion of the interior the left atrial appendage.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus defined in  claim 11 , wherein the securement means is configured for enlargement in response to expansion of an expansion structure located in an interior portion of the securement means.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus defined in  claim 11 , wherein the securement means is resiliently biased in a enlarged configuration for engagement with the interior wall of the left atrial appendage and may be constrained in a reduced size configuration for installation in the left atrial appendage.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the membrane has a permeable structure which allows blood to flow through the membrane but substantially inhibits thrombus from passing therethrough.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the membrane has an impermeable structure which substantially inhibits thrombus and blood from passing therethrough.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the securement means comprises membrane supporting structure attached to the outer periphery of the membrane and configured to extend radially outward from the ostium to secure the outer periphery of the membrane in direct engagement with the atrial wall surrounding the ostium.