Barrier device for ostium of left atrial appendage

Abstract

A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for blocking blood from entering the atrial appendage which can form blood clots therein is disclosed. The membrane also 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 membranes are percutaneously installed in patients experiencing atrial fibrillations and other heart conditions where thrombosis may form in the atrial appendages.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombi from entering the blood stream comprising:
 securing a membrane over an ostium of an atrial appendage by extending an atrial appendage anchor into or through a wall of the atrial appendage and providing a tether between the atrial appendage anchor and the membrane,   wherein the tether is adapted to hold the membrane snuggly against the ostium of the atrial appendage,   further wherein the atrial appendage anchor is adapted to expand upon release thereby resisting being pulled out of or through the wall of the atrial appendage.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be porous to blood and adapted to prevent thrombosis formed within the atrial appendage from leaving the atrial appendage. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be infiltrated with endothelial/endocardial cells thereby providing a nonthrombogenic surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be nonporous to blood and adapted to prevent thrombosis formed within the atrial appendage from entering the blood stream. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be adhesively affixed over the ostium of the atrial appendage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the atrial appendage anchor is a disk. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tether is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein tether is a spring. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the spring is a spiral spring. 
     
     
         11 . A device for preventing atrial appendage thrombi from entering the blood stream comprising:
 a membrane sized and adapted to cover an ostium of an atrial appendage;   an atrial appendage anchor adapted to expand following extension into or through a wall of the atrial appendage thereby causing the atrial appendage anchor to resist being pulled out of or through the wall of the atrial appendage; and   a tether connecting the atrial appendage anchor and the membrane, said tether being adapted to hold the membrane snuggly against the ostium of the atrial appendage.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be porous to blood and adapted to prevent thrombosis formed within the atrial appendage from leaving the atrial appendage. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be infiltrated with endothelial/endocardial cells thereby providing a nonthrombogenic surface. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be nonporous to blood and adapted to prevent thrombosis formed within the atrial appendage from entering the blood stream. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane is adapted to be adhesively affixed over the ostium of the atrial appendage. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the atrial appendage anchor is a disk. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the tether is elastic. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein tether is a spring. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the spring is a spiral spring. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the tether at least partially fills the atrial appendage. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 11 , further wherein the membrane is heparin coated.