Energy based devices and methods for treatment of patent foramen ovale

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device fuirther include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

1 . An apparatus for treating a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart of a patient, comprising:
 a guidewire for advancing through tissues of the PFO;   a catheter device slidably disposed over the guidewire, the catheter device having a proximal end and a distal end; and   at least one energy transmission member adjacent to the distal end for applying energy to or removing energy from tissues adjacent to the PFO to substantially close the PFO.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire comprises a distal tip for locating and extending through the PFO. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire comprises at least one energy transmission member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire comprises an expandable portion for expanding on the left atrial side of the heart as to at least partially bring the tissues together. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the expandable portion comprises an expandable backstop. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire comprises an expandable member for expanding within the PFO to at least partially bring together the tissues adjacent to the PFO. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the expandable member comprises at least one energy transmission member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy transmission member transmits at least one of radiofrequency energy, cryogenic energy, heat energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy and laser energy. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one energy transmission member comprises at least one monopolar radiofrequency transmission member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one energy transmission member comprises at least two bipolar radiofrequency transmission members.