摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple closure apparatus for sealing a patent foramen ovale, which is suited for suturing the patent foramen ovale.SOLUTION: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale (8). Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body (20, 1020, 1020') having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms (31, 1031, 1031') adapted to hold end portions (52) of a suture (50) when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism (161, 161') 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. A second suture catch mechanism (165, 165') is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to the suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm is positioned around the septum primum (7) to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm is positioned around the septum secundum (6) to deliver a suture thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29G |