Catch members for occluder devices

Abstract

Devices and techniques for modifying and maintaining a configuration of an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices and techniques relate particularly to, but are not limited to, modifying and maintaining a configuration of a PFO occluder made from a polymer tube. The proximal portion of a catch member may be provided with one or more protrusions, or arms, or bump or other raised element for securing the occluder in a partial or fully deployed configuration, either temporarily or permanently.

1 . A collapsible medical device for occluding an aperture in a body, the medical device having a first configuration with a reduced profile and a second configuration with an expanded profile, the medical device being adapted to be delivered through a delivery system into a desired delivery location, the medical device comprising: 
 a proximal side and a distal side;    an occluder portion movable between the first and second configurations; and,    a catch system for holding the medical device in the second configuration including a catch member with at least one arm disposed near the proximal end of the catch member, such that during deployment, the proximal end of the catch member is adapted to pass through an inner passageway of the occluder while the arm is depressed and to secure the device in the second configuration when the arm protrudes outside an outer diameter of the catch member.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is formed by cutting two parallel axial slits and one transverse slit into the catch member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the arm includes a bend and the bend causes the device to be secured in the second configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the arm is pre-conditioned in a bent position.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the arm is pre-conditioned by annealing.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the tip of the arm secures the device in the second configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is straight.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is bent.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is bent into a V-shape.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the catch system provides a permanent catch.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the catch system further provides a temporary catch for use during deployment of the device.  
     
     
         12 . A collapsible medical device for occluding an aperture in a body, the medical device having a first configuration with a reduced profile and a second configuration with an expanded profile, the medical device being adapted to be delivered through a delivery system into a desired delivery location, the medical device comprising: 
 a proximal side and a distal side;    an occluder portion movable between the first and second configurations; and, a catch system for holding the medical device in the second configuration including a catch member formed from a tube having a transverse, angled slit in the proximal side, such that during deployment, the proximal end of the catch member is adapted to pass through an inner passageway of the occluder while the tube is straight and to secure the device in the second configuration when the tube is bent at the cut.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the slit is angled about 45 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the catch member.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the catch member has a first axis and the proximal portion of the catch member when bent at the cut has a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and wherein the second axis is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the first axis.  
     
     
         15 . A collapsible medical device for occluding an aperture in a body, the medical device having a first configuration with a reduced profile and a second configuration with an expanded profile, the medical device being adapted to be delivered through a delivery system into a desired delivery location, the medical device comprising: 
 a proximal side and a distal side;    an occluder portion movable between the first and second configurations; and,    a catch system for holding the medical device in the second configuration including a catch member with two matched transverse slits in the proximal side such that during deployment, the proximal end of the catch member is adapted to pass through an inner passageway of the occluder and to secure the device in the second configuration when the portion defined by the two slits forms a protrusion.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion is defined by reducing the axial length of the catch member and annealing.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising an inner threaded portion for receiving a delivery wire and a stopper element disposed inside the tube for stopping the delivery wire when being screwed into the inner threaded portion.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion is biased in the proximal direction.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion is biased in the distal direction.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the slits are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the catch member.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion is twisted relative to the longitudinal axis of the catch member.  
     
     
         22 . A collapsible medical device for occluding an aperture in a body, the medical device having a first configuration with a reduced profile and a second configuration with an expanded profile, the medical device being adapted to be delivered through a delivery system into a desired delivery location, the medical device comprising: 
 a proximal side and a distal side;    an occluder portion movable between the first and second configurations; and,    a catch system for holding the medical device in the second configuration including a catch member having a first outer diameter closer to the proximal end and having a second outer diameter further from the proximal end that is smaller than the first outer diameter, such that during deployment, the proximal end of the catch member is adapted to pass through an inner passageway of the occluder and to secure the device in the second configuration when a proximal end of the device catches on the first outer diameter.    
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the catch member includes threads with two different pitches and the second outer diameter corresponds to threads with a first pitch.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a bump around the circumference of the catch member, wherein the first outer diameter corresponds to a diameter of the bump.  
     
     
         25 . A collapsible medical device for occluding an aperture in a body, the medical device having a first configuration with a reduced profile and a second configuration with an expanded profile, the medical device being adapted to be delivered through a delivery system into a desired delivery location, the medical device comprising: 
 a proximal side and a distal side;    an occluder portion movable between the first and second configurations; and,    a catch system for holding the medical device in the second configuration including a generally tubular catch member with a proximal portion and a proximal end, having a raised portion around its outer circumference on the proximal portion, tabs axially extending toward the raised portion, and a planar lumen intersecting the proximal end of the catch member, such that during deployment, the proximal end of the catch member is adapted to pass through an inner passageway of the occluder and to temporarily secure the device in an intermediate configuration by compression of the lumen and to secure the device in the second configuration when a proximal end of the device engages the raised portion, the engagement with the raised portion being secured by the tabs.