Method for left atrial appendage occlusion

Abstract

Disclosed is an occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device includes an occlusion member and may also include a stabilizing member. The stabilizing member inhibits compression of the left atrial appendage, facilitating tissue in-growth onto the occlusion member. Methods are also disclosed.

1 .- 9 . (Cancelled).  
     
     
         10 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream comprising: 
 securing a membrane over an ostium of the atrial appendage by extending prongs from adjacent an edge of the membrane into the atrial appendage through the ostium; and    piercing the wall of the atrial appendage with the prongs extending into the atrial appendage wall substantially adjacent the ostium to secure the membrane in place; thereby:    blocking the atrial appendage ostium with the membrane preventing blood from entering the atrial appendage and forming thrombus therein and preventing thrombus formed therein from leaving.    
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 centering the membrane over the ostium by attaching the prongs adjacent the edge of the membrane substantially in a circle such that the prongs will position the membrane over the ostium without leaving gaps between the ostium and the membrane.    
     
     
         12 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 extending a stent between the membrane and the prongs to engage the ostium of the atrial appendage for securing the membrane to the ostium.    
     
     
         13 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending stent legs into the atrial appendage through the ostium of the atrial appendage to hold the membrane snugly against the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 attaching the membrane to the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending a collapsible stent into the ostium such that the stent expands and engages the circumference of the ostium and attaching a collapsible membrane across the lumen of the stent such that opening the stent stretches the membrane across the lumen of the stent thus blocking the ostium.    
     
     
         15 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 coating the membrane with an anticoagulant drug to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         16 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 providing a porous membrane for encouraging endothelial cells to grow in the membrane thus providing a cell wall over the membrane to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         17 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 injecting a blood coagulating substance into the atrial appendage to clot the blood therein and prevent it from flowing out of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         18 . A method for preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 providing a means for centering the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage to provide a good seal.    
     
     
         19 . A method of obstructing an opening in the body of a patient, said method comprising: 
 minimally invasively inserting a membrane in the opening by use of a catheter to block the opening; and    securing the membrane in place by the membrane lodging against the opening and providing prongs adjacent an edge of the membrane extending substantially outwardly for attaching the membrane to body tissue on the opposite side of the opening substantially adjacent the opening.    
     
     
         20 . A method of obstructing an opening in the body of a patient as in  claim 19  wherein the securing comprises: 
 securing the membrane over an ostium of an atrial appendage.    
     
     
         21 . A method of preventing thrombus in the atrial appendage of a patient from entering the blood stream, said method comprising: 
 providing a filter membrane between the atrial appendage and the atrium;    securing the filter membrane over an ostium of the atrial appendage by extending engagement members substantially outwardly from adjacent an edge of the filter membrane into the atrial appendage through the ostium of the atrial appendage; and    piercing the wall of the atrial appendage with the engagement members extending into the atrial appendage wall substantially adjacent the ostium to secure the filter membrane in place; thereby:    filtering blood flow to prevent thrombus from flowing out of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of engagement members is attached adjacent the edge of the filter membrane in a substantially circular configuration, the method further comprising: 
 centering the filter membrane over the ostium by the engagement members positioning the filter membrane relative to the ostium.    
     
     
         23 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 expanding a cylindrical support member to which the filter membrane and the engagement members are attached, to engage the ostium of the atrial appendage for securing the filter membrane across the ostium.    
     
     
         24 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 attaching the filter membrane and the engagement members to a portion of a collapsible structure;    attaching the filter membrane to the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending the collapsible structure into the ostium and expanding the collapsible structure; such that:    the collapsible structure expands and engages the circumference of the ostium; and    the filter membrane is stretched across the ostium.    
     
     
         25 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 coating the filter membrane with an anticoagulant drug to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         26 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the filter membrane is structured to encourage endothelial cells to grow in the filter membrane thus providing a cell wall over the filter membrane to prevent thrombosis.  
     
     
         27 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 providing a means for centering the filter membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage to provide a good seal.    
     
     
         28 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream comprising: 
 blocking an atrial appendage ostium with a membrane preventing blood from entering the atrial appendage and forming thrombus therein and preventing thrombus formed therein from leaving; and    injecting a blood coagulating substance into the atrial appendage to clot blood therein and prevent blood from flowing out of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         29 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream comprising: 
 blocking an atrial appendage ostium with a membrane preventing blood from entering the atrial appendage and forming thrombus therein and preventing thrombosis formed therein from leaving.    
     
     
         30 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending prongs from the membrane into the atrial appendage through the ostium.    
     
     
         31 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 30  further comprising: 
 piercing the wall of the atrial appendage with the prongs extending into the atrial appendage wall to secure the membrane in place.    
     
     
         32 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 30  further comprising: 
 centering the membrane over the ostium by prongs attached to the membrane in a circle such that the prongs will position the membrane over the ostium without leaving gaps between the ostium and the membrane.    
     
     
         33 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 30  further comprising: 
 extending a stent between the membrane and the prongs to engage the ostium of the atrial appendage for securing the membrane to the ostium.    
     
     
         34 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 33  further comprising: 
 piercing the wall of the atrial appendage with the prongs extending into the atrial appendage wall to secure the membrane in place.    
     
     
         35 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending stent legs into the atrial appendage through the ostium of the atrial appendage to hold the membrane snuggly against the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         36 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending an anchor into or through the wall of the atrial appendage and attaching a tether between the atrial appendage and the membrane for holding the membrane snuggly against the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         37 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by inserting an anchor in the wall of the atrial appendage and attaching a spring between the anchor and the atrial appendage to urge the membrane against the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         38 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 providing a spiral spring connected to the membrane, for a snug filling of the atrial appendage, and sealing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         39 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage adhesively.    
     
     
         40 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 vacuuming the atrial appendage for removing thrombus from therein and for collapsing the atrial membrane.    
     
     
         41 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 blocking the atrial appendage ostium by filling the atrial appendage with a membrane material.    
     
     
         42 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending a plurality of umbrella struts on an umbrella pole into the atrial appendage while the umbrella struts are in a closed position and opening the umbrella struts in the atrial appendage such that the umbrella struts engage the atrium appendage wall and can not be withdrawn through the ostium then moving the membrane on the umbrella pole to secure it in position on the opposing side of the ostium holding the ostium wall between the membrane and the umbrella struts thus securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         43 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 attaching the membrane to the ostium of the atrial appendage by extending a collapsible stent into the ostium such that the stent expands and engages the circumference of the ostium and attaching a collapsible membrane across the lumen of the stent such that opening the stent stretches the membrane across the lumen of the stent thus blocking the ostium.    
     
     
         44 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 coating the membrane with an anticoagulant drug to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         45 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 providing a porous membrane for encouraging endothelial cells to grow in the membrane thus providing a cell wall over the membrane to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         46 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 injecting a sealant material into the atrial appendage to seal the membrane against the ostium to prevent leakage.    
     
     
         47 . A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 injecting a filler material into the atrial appendage to reduce the volume of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         48 . A method for preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 providing a means for centering the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage to provide a good seal.    
     
     
         49 . A method for preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 48  wherein the means for centering the membrane over the ostium comprises: 
 attaching a centering rim to the membrane for insertion into the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         50 . A method for preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in  claim 29  further comprising: 
 attaching markers to the membrane for observing the position of the membrane as it is placed in the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         51 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium comprising: 
 a membrane,    a means for blocking the ostium of the atrial appendage with the membrane such that no blood enters the atrial appendage to form a thrombus and no thrombus escapes the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         52 . A membrane for blocking the ostium of an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the atrial appendage comprises a membrane over the ostium, the membrane having a plurality of prongs extending through the ostium and hugging the walls of the atrial appendage such that the membrane is held firmly over the ostium.    
     
     
         53 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 memory alloy prongs are used to expand to the desired shape inside of the atrial appendage to firmly hold the membrane over the ostium.    
     
     
         54 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the prongs pierce the atrial appendage wall to secure the membrane in place.    
     
     
         55 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the prongs are attached to the membrane in a circle such that the prongs will center the membrane over the ostium.    
     
     
         56 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 a stent between the membrane and the prongs engages the diameter of the ostium of the atrial appendage and holds the membrane securely in place over the ostium.    
     
     
         57 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 56  wherein: 
 the prongs pierce the atrial appendage wall to secure the membrane in place.    
     
     
         58 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises, a plurality of stent legs attached to the membrane and extending inside of the atrial appendage through the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         59 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 58  wherein: 
 memory alloy stent legs are used to expand to the desired shape inside of the atrial appendage to firmly hold the membrane over the ostium.    
     
     
         60 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises, an anchor into or through the wall of the atrial appendage and a tether connecting the anchor and the membrane to securely hold the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         61 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises, an anchor into or through the wall of the atrial appendage and a spring connecting the anchor and the membrane to securely hold the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         62 . A membrane for blocking an, atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises a spiral spring filling the atrial appendage and connected the membrane to securely hold the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         63 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises an adhesive on the membrane for securing the membrane over the ostium of the atrial membrane.    
     
     
         64 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 a vacuum removes thrombus from the atrial appendage and reduces the volume of the atrial appendage by suction.    
     
     
         65 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium comprises a membrane material filling the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         66 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the means for blocking the ostium a collapsible stent for insertion into the ostium such that the stent expands and engages the circumference of the ostium and attaching a collapsible membrane across the lumen of the stent such that opening the stent stretches the membrane across the lumen of the stent thus blocking the ostium.    
     
     
         67 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 an anticoagulant drug on the membrane to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         68 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the membrane is a porous membrane to encourage endothelial cells to grow in the pores of the membrane thus providing a cell wall over the membrane to prevent thrombosis.    
     
     
         69 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 a substance in the atrial appendage seals the membrane against leakage.    
     
     
         70 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 a substance in the atrial appendage fills the atrial appendage and reducing its volume.    
     
     
         71 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 a coagulant in the atrial appendage coagulates the blood therein such that it can not escape the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         72 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 51  wherein: 
 the membrane has a means for centering the membrane over the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         73 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 72  wherein the means for centering the membrane over the ostium comprises: 
 a centering rim on the membrane for placement in the ostium.    
     
     
         74 . A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium as in  claim 72  wherein the means for centering the membrane over the ostium comprises: 
 markers attached to the membrane for observing the position of the membrane as it is placed in the ostium of the atrial appendage.    
     
     
         75 . A method of obstructing openings in the body of a patient comprising: 
 non invasively inserting membranes in the openings by use of catheters to block the opening,    securing the membrane in place by the membrane lodging against the opening and providing a means for attaching the membrane to body tissue on the opposite side of the opening.    
     
     
         76 . A method of obstructing openings in the body of a patient as in  claim 75  further comprising: 
 securing the membrane over an ostium of an atrial appendage.    
     
     
         77 . A membrane for obstructing openings in the body of a patient comprising: 
 a membrane,    a means for securing the membrane over the opening by placing the membrane on one side of the opening and a means for securing a connecting element to body tissue on the opposite side of the opening from the membrane.    
     
     
         78 . A membrane for obstructing openings in the body of a patient as in  claim 77  wherein 
 an ostium of an atrial appendage is covered by the membrane.