Closure device with textured surface

Abstract

A closure device closes an opening in a body cavity. The closure device includes a closure member that has an external, tissue-engaging surface formed with tissue engaging surface irregularities. An elongate member is disconnectably connected to the closure member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A closure device for closing an opening in a body cavity, comprising: 
 a closure member having an external, tissue engaging surface formed with fibrous tissue engaging surface irregularities; and    an elongate member disconnectably connected to the closure member.    
     
     
         2 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the surface irregularities are in a non-grasping orientation relative to movement of the closure member in a first direction.  
     
     
         3 . The closure device of  claim 2  wherein the surface irregularities are in a grasping orientation relative to movement of the closure member in a second direction, opposite the first direction.  
     
     
         4 . The closure device of  claim 3  wherein the surface irregularities are on a distal portion of the closure member.  
     
     
         5 . The closure device of  claim 4  wherein the elongate member is disconnectably connected to a proximal portion of the closure member.  
     
     
         6 . The closure device of  claim 5  wherein the elongate member is frictionally connected to the closure member.  
     
     
         7 . The closure device of  claim 5  wherein the elongate member is connected to the closure member with a frangible mechanical connection.  
     
     
         8 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member includes a hollow distal end sized to receive a portion of the closure member therein.  
     
     
         9 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member comprises a catheter.  
     
     
         10 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member comprises a wire.  
     
     
         11 . The closure device of  claim 3  wherein the surface irregularities comprise proximally facing hook portions.  
     
     
         12 . The closure device of  claim 11  wherein the hook portions comprise ridges extending about the surface of the closure member.  
     
     
         13 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the closure member comprises a substantially rigid material during delivery.  
     
     
         14 . The closure device of  claim 13  wherein the closure member comprises a swellable material.  
     
     
         15 . The closure device of  claim 14  wherein the swellable material is coated with a soluble coating that imparts rigidity prior to dissolution.  
     
     
         16 . The closure device of  claim 14  wherein the swellable material comprises collagen.  
     
     
         17 . The closure device of  claim 1  wherein the opening has fibrous tissue located proximally thereof and wherein the surface irregularities engage and become entangled in the fibrous tissue as the collapsible member is moved proximally relative thereto.  
     
     
         18 . The closure device of  claim 17  wherein the opening is defined by relatively smooth tissue and wherein the surface irregularities pass the relatively smooth tissue without becoming entangled therein when the closure member is moved proximal relative thereto.  
     
     
         19 . A method for closing an opening in a body cavity having fluid therein, comprising: 
 establishing a dry field in the body cavity adjacent the opening;    inserting a liquid swellable material into the dry field;    withdrawing the liquid swellable material from the body cavity through the opening until the liquid swellable material engage fibrous tissue proximal of the opening; and    implanting the liquid swellable material outside the body cavity to close the opening.    
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 19  and further comprising: 
 removing the dry field from the body cavity so liquid from the body cavity contacts and swells the swellable material.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method of  claim 20  wherein establishing a dry field comprises: 
 introducing an inert gas into the body cavity to establish a bolus of the gas adjacent the opening.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein introducing an inert gas comprises: 
 introducing a sheath into the body cavity through the opening; and  
 introducing the gas through the sheath.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein inserting a swellable material comprises: 
 inserting the swellable material with an elongate member through the sheath.  
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein removing the dry field comprises: 
 withdrawing the liquid swellable material and the sheath from the opening such that the gas vents from the body cavity through the opening.  
 
     
     
         25 . A method of closing an opening in a body cavity, comprising: 
 advancing fibrous tissue engaging members distally through the opening into the body cavity;    withdrawing the fibrous tissue engaging members proximally through the opening to an engagement region where the fibrous tissue engaging members engage fibrous tissue proximal of the opening; and    placing a closure member at the engagement region.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein placing the closure member comprises: 
 advancing a swellable material to the engagement region; and  
 releasing the swellable material.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the fibrous tissue engaging members are connected to an elongate member and wherein advancing the swellable material comprises: 
 advancing the swellable material over the elongate member to the engagement region.  
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the swellable material comprises a plurality of disc shaped pieces having an aperture therein and wherein advancing the swellable material over the elongate member comprises: 
 advancing the swellable material over the elongate member such that the aperture receives the elongate member.  
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the swellable material comprises a sheet of swellable material and wherein advancing the swellable material over the elongate member comprises: 
 folding the sheet to form a generally cylindrical member having an aperture defined therethrough;  
 advancing the folded sheet over the elongate member such that the aperture receives the elongate member.  
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the fibrous tissue engaging members comprise hooks, and further comprising: 
 prior to advancing the swellable material, moving the hooks toward one another to reduce a size of the opening.  
 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the hooks are supported in a spread configuration by a collapsible member and wherein moving the hooks comprises: 
 sliding a closing sheath over the collapsible member to collapse the collapsible member.  
 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  and further comprising: 
 after advancing the swellable material, advancing the closure sheath distally to receive the hooks therein; and  
 withdrawing the hooks in the closure sheath proximally.  
 
     
     
         33 . A closure apparatus for closing an opening in a body cavity, comprising: 
 a plurality of fibrous tissue engaging members coupled to a proximally extending elongate member, the fibrous tissue engaging members being movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position;    a closure sheath sized to receive the elongate member and slidable thereover to move the fibrous tissue engaging members from the expanded position to the collapsed position;    a delivery sheath sized to receive the closure sheath and having a distal end sized to engage the fibrous tissue engaging members when in the expanded position; and    a closure member having an aperture defined therein sized to receive the closure sheath.    
     
     
         34 . The closure apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the closure member comprises: 
 a generally disc shaped member having the aperture defined therein.  
 
     
     
         35 . The closure apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the generally disc shaped member comprises: 
 a plurality of disc shaped pieces each having an aperture defined therein and being arranged in a generally coaxial orientation.  
 
     
     
         36 . The closure apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the closure member comprises: 
 a sheet of pliable, swellable material folded into a generally tubular shape having the aperture defined therethrough.  
 
     
     
         37 . The closure apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the closure member comprises: 
 a plurality of sheets of pliable, swellable material, each folded into a generally tubular shape having the aperture defined therethrough.  
 
     
     
         38 . The closure apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the plurality of sheets are disposed over the closure sheath in a generally coaxial arrangement.  
     
     
         39 . The closure apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the fibrous tissue engaging members comprise: 
 a plurality of hook-shaped members.  
 
     
     
         40 . The closure apparatus of  claim 39  wherein the plurality of hook-shaped members are oriented to be proximally facing hook-shaped members.  
     
     
         41 . The closure apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the proximally facing hook-shaped members are sufficiently resilient to deform to be received within the closure sheath upon distal advancement of the closure sheath distally beyond the proximally facing hook-shaped members.