Retrievable septal defect closure device

Abstract

The present invention provides a septal defect closure device ( 10 ) having a first occluding disk ( 30 ) having a first flexible membrane ( 32 ) attached to a first frame ( 34 ) and a second occluding disk ( 20 ) having a second flexible membrane ( 22 ) attached to a separate second frame ( 24 ). The first frame has at least two outwardly extending loops joined to one another by flexible joints. These loops are attached to the first membrane to define taut fabric petals when the first disk is in a deployed configuration. A central portion of the first membrane is joined to the central portion of the second membrane via a joining segment, which may comprise a conjoint disk. The flexible joints of the first frame are received within the joining segment. This septal defect closure device provides enhanced retrievability.

1 . A method of deploying a defect closure device, comprising:
 delivering an elongate delivery catheter to a septal defect with a retrievable defect occluder collapsed within a lumen at a distal end of the catheter, the defect closure device being connected to at least one string passing proximally through the lumen of the catheter; and   reversibly deploying the retrievable defect occluder from the elongate delivery catheter and into the septal defect, wherein the deployed defect occluder is retrievable into the catheter after being deployed into the septal defect using the at least one string and is capable of being redeployed into the septal defect from the catheter after being retrieved into the catheter.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving the deployed defect occluder into the catheter after deploying the defect occluder into the septal defect. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising redeploying the defect occluder into the septal defect from the catheter after retrieving the deployed defect occluder into the catheter. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrievable defect occluder has expandable proximal and distal frames that are biased to expand on opposite sides of the septal defect when the occluder is deployed. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the distal frame includes a plurality of loops originating from a central attachment region and extending radially outwardly from the central attachment region. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the retrievable defect occluder further comprises a membrane attached to at least one of the proximal and distal frames. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one string is coupled to the proximal frame to facilitate collapse of the proximal frame upon retrieval. 
   
   
       8 . A method of deploying a defect closure device, comprising:
 providing an elongate delivery catheter having a lumen;   providing a closure device having expandable proximal and distal frames, at least one frame being covered with fabric, and at least one frame having a plurality of loops originating from a central attachment region and extending radially outwardly from the central attachment region and including a plurality of flexible joints configured to facilitate collapse of the at least one frame upon retrieval, the plurality of flexible joints being disposed on the central attachment region, wherein each of the plurality of loops has a first end and a second end both connected to the central attachment region; and   urging the closure device out from the catheter such that the proximal and distal frames are fully expanded on opposite sides of the defect.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal and distal frames are elastically biased into an expanded position. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal frame includes a fabric membrane disposed along the proximal frame. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fabric is formed of a relatively porous material for permitting ingrowth of collagen and fibrous tissue into the material. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising urging the closure device out from the catheter while the closure device is connected to a string. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein drawstrings are coupled to the proximal frame. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drawstrings are coupled to locations along a periphery of the proximal frame. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the drawstrings are configured to pull radially inward along the periphery for collapsing the proximal frame. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the drawstrings extend through at least two eyelets disposed along the periphery of the proximal frame. 
   
   
       17 . A retrievable closure device for sealing a defect in a human heart, comprising:
 expandable proximal and distal frames for positioning on opposite sides of the defect, at least one frame being covered with fabric, and at least one frame having a plurality of loops originating from a central attachment region and extending radially outwardly from the central attachment region and including a plurality of flexible joints configured to facilitate collapse of the at least one frame upon retrieval, the plurality of flexible joints being disposed on the central attachment region, wherein each of the plurality of loops has a first end and a second end both connected to the central attachment region.   
   
   
       18 . The closure device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one drawstring coupled to the proximal frame. 
   
   
       19 . The closure device of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal frame includes a membrane configured to prevent blood flow through the defect. 
   
   
       20 . The closure device of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal and distal frames can be fully expanded on opposite sides of the defect and are then retrievable back into a lumen of a delivery catheter by withdrawing the drawstring for collapsing the proximal frame and by collapsing the distal frame along the plurality of flexible joints.