Systems and Methods for Treating Septal Defects

Abstract

A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the body member and a positioning device configured to position the delivery device in a desired location.

1 . In an implantable apparatus having a longitudinal axis for deploying an implantable closure member through the septum walls of a patent foramen ovale, the improvement comprising:
 a needle adapted to pierce the septum secundum and the septum primum of a patent foramen ovale, said needle having a lumen,   a housing having a lumen which houses said needle,   a grasper adapted to grasp the limbus of the septum secundum and to alter the orientation of the distal end of said housing relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus,   said needle housing a closure member in the lumen therein, said closure member having a body comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion located therebetween, the first end portion being configured to engage a first outer septal surface of the septum primum, the second end portion being configured to engage a second outer septal surface of the septum secundum and the central portion being configured to fit within an opening in the septal walls formed by said needle that traverses a septal defect tunnel, at least one of said portions being coiled.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is coiled. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first end portion comprises a plurality of coiled segments. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of coiled segments are coiled about a common axis. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of coiled segments have varying diameters. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first end portion overlaps the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the body has a first end located on the first end portion and a second end located in the second end portion, the width of the body across the coiled segment located closest to the first end being relatively larger than the width of the body across an adjacent coiled segment. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the body has a first end located on the first end portion and a second end located in the second end portion, the width of the body across the coiled segment located closest to the first end being relatively smaller than the width of the body across an adjacent coiled segment. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion comprises a coiled segment having a constant pitch. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion comprises a coiled segment having a variable pitch. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion comprises a coiled segment having a straight portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is configured to apply a force at least partially towards the central portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion is coiled. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the central portion comprises a plurality of coiled segments. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of coiled segments are coiled about a common axis. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, in the central portion, the width of the body across a first coiled segment is different than the width of the body across a second coiled segment. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the width of the body across each of the plurality of coiled segments in the central portion is constant. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the central portion comprises blocking material coupled with the body. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion is configured to apply a compressive force between the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion comprises at least one coiled section comprising at least one coiled segment and at least one generally straight section. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the coiled section is located relatively closer to either the first or second end portions. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is composed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the body is composed of a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is deformable from a first configuration to a second configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the first configuration is configured for housing within a delivery device. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the second configuration is configured for treating a septal defect. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are configured to engage a surface of a septal wall. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first end tip and a second end tip. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second end tips are configured to be atraumatic. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one end tip having an aperture. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end tip aperture is configured to receive a tether. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is at least partially coiled and wire-like. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is at least partially coiled and ribbon-like. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a textured surface region. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is at least partially coated with a coating. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the coating is abrasive. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the coating comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body material has a varying thickness. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an elastomeric portion. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion, second end portion and central portion are coiled. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the central portion is configured to apply a compressive force between the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the central portion has a width that is smaller than a width of the first end portion and a width of the second end portion. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the width of one of the first and second end portions is greater than the width of the other of the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is coiled. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the second end portion comprises a plurality of coiled segments. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of coiled segments are coiled about a common axis. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein, in the second end portion, the width of the body across one coiled segment is different from the width of the body across a second coiled segment. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the second end portion overlaps the central portion. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the body has a first end located on the first end portion and a second end located in the second end portion, the width of the body across the coiled segment located closest to the second end being relatively larger than the width of the body across an adjacent coiled segment. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the body has a first end located on the first end portion and a second end located in the second end portion, the width of the body across the coiled segment located closest to the second end being relatively smaller than the width of the body across an adjacent coiled segment. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion comprises a coiled segment having a constant pitch. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion comprises a coiled segment having a variable pitch. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion comprises a coiled segment having a straight portion. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is configured to apply a force at least partially towards the central portion.