PATENT FORAMEN OVALE (PFO) CLOSURE CLIPS

摘要

The present invention provides a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure clip. The clips of the present invention include two closure members joined by at least two spaced central connecting members. Each of the at least two spaced central connecting members is attached to each closure member at a location on a periphery of the closure member. The clips are designed such that the at least two central connecting members extend through the inclined PFO tunnel and the two closure members compress the overlapping layers of septal tissue, i.e. septum primum and septum secundum, together to close the PFO tunnel. The clips of the present invention may be formed of various materials. In at least some embodiments, the clips are formed of metals, nonmetallic materials, bioabsorbable polymers, spring steel, shape memory materials, bioabsorbable shape memory polymers, or combinations thereof. The clips of the present invention take various forms depending, in part, upon the distribution of force required to close a given PFO. Thus, in some embodiments, the closure members include arcuate peaks. In other embodiments, the closure members include loops. In still other embodiments, the closure members include prongs. In yet other embodiments, the closure members include centering elements for centering the device in the desired delivery location. In at least some embodiments, the clips of the present invention are repositionable and/or retrievable. In some embodiments, at least one of the closure members includes a tissue scaffold.