Device for applying a knot to a suture

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale. Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms adapted to hold end portions of a suture when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a proximal-to-distal direction to engage the suture end held by the first suture clasp arm, and a second suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum primum to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum secundum to deliver a suture thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suturing apparatus for suturing a patent foramen ovale, comprising:
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be delivered percutaneously into the patent foramen ovale;   at least a first suture clasp arm adapted to hold a first suture end portion, the first suture clasp arm being extendable from said body from a retracted position to an extended position and configured to be placed around one of the septum primum and septum secundum of the patent foramen ovale;   at least a first suture catch mechanism slidably housed in said elongate body, the first suture catch mechanism being movable through one of the septum primum and septum secundum of the patent foramen ovale to engage a distal end of the first suture catch mechanism with the first suture end portion held by the first suture clasp arm when the first suture clasp arm is in the extended position and prior to engagement with the first suture catch mechanism;   at least a second suture clasp arm adapted to hold a second suture end portion, the second suture clasp arm being extendable from said body from a retracted position to an extended position and configured to be placed around the other of the septum primum and septum secundum of the patent foramen ovale; and   at least a second suture catch mechanism slidably housed in said elongate body, the second suture catch mechanism being moveable through the other of the septum primum and septum secundum of the patent foramen ovale to engage a distal end of the second suture catch mechanism with the second suture end portion held by the second suture clasp arm when the second suture clasp arm is in the extended position and prior to engagement with the second suture catch mechanism.