Intracardiac cage and method of delivering same

Abstract

A method of preventing ingress of material into the left atrium of a heart includes providing a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath distal end through an opening between the right atrium and the left atrium of the heart, providing an expandable cage, delivering the expandable cage to the left atrium, and expanding the expandable cage within the left atrium. The expandable cage includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of supports extending therebetween. The expandable cage also includes a first membrane provided at its proximal end and a second membrane provided at its distal end. The expandable cage has a collapsed configuration so that it can be received within the lumen of the delivery sheath, and an expanded configuration for deployment within the heart. When expanded, the first membrane is positioned at an opening between the left and right atria of the heart, and the second membrane is positioned at the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The first membrane substantially prevents passage of blood between the atria and the second membrane prevents passage of embolic material from the left atrial appendage into the left atrium of the heart.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An expandable cage for preventing egress of material from a left atrial appendage, comprising:
 a frame comprising a first end and a second end, and a plurality of supports extending therebetween, wherein said cage has a collapsed configuration for delivery to a chamber of the heart, and an expanded configuration for deployment within the heart;   a membrane disposed on the frame at the first end, the membrane having a convex side and a concave side, the convex side facing towards the left atrial appendage,   wherein the frame is sized to hold the membrane against the ostium of the left atrial appendage.   
     
     
         3 . The expandable cage of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of supports are joined together at the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable cage of  claim 2  further comprising a second membrane at the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable cage of  claim 2  wherein the frame is self-expanding. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable cage of  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a region having a serpentine curve. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable cage of  claim 6  wherein each of the serpentine curve regions is spaced from the membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable cage of  claim 2 , further comprising a hub near the first end, wherein the plurality of supports are joined to the hub and the hub is recessed from the first end. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable cage of  claim 2 , further comprising a second hub near the second end, wherein the plurality of supports are joined to the second hub and the second hub is recessed from the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable cage of  claim 2 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of barbs. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable cage of  claim 2 , wherein a support comprises a plurality of barbs. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable cage of  claim 11 , wherein at least one barb is directed in a proximal direction, at least one barb is directed in a distal direction, and at least one barb is directed in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         13 . The expandable cage of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a fractureable center portion. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable cage of  claim 13 , wherein each of the fractureable center portions comprises a bioabsorbable rivet. 
     
     
         15 . An expandable cage for preventing ingress of material to a chamber of the heart, comprising:
 a frame comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of supports extending therebetween, wherein said cage has a collapsed configuration for delivery to a chamber of the heart, and an expanded configuration for deployment within the heart; and   at least one membrane provided at at least one of said proximal and said distal ends, wherein a length between said proximal and distal ends when at least partially expanded generally approximates the distance between an ostium of a left atrial appendage and a septum of the heart.   
     
     
         16 . The expandable cage of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one membrane comprises a proximal membrane provided at said proximal end and a distal membrane provided at said distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The expandable cage of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one membrane has a diameter corresponding to the dimensions of a patent foramen ovale. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable cage of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one membrane has a diameter corresponding to the dimensions of a left atrial appendage. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable cage of  claim 15 , wherein said proximal end comprises supports that extend proximally, distally, and proximally from an apex to a proximal hub. 
     
     
         20 . A system for preventing ingress of material to a chamber of the heart, comprising:
 the expandable cage of  claim 15 ; and   a transseptal sheath for delivering the expandable cage to the chamber.