Compliant electrode for patent foramen ovale closure device

Abstract

A medical device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a compliant electrode. The compliant electrode can include a shape memory material, such as NITINOL, to facilitate the electrode having at least one relaxed orientation. The electrode can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart through the delivery shaft. The electrode can be configured to substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening.

1 . A method for reducing the size of an internal tissue opening comprising the steps of
 providing a first electrode comprising a plurality of compliant arms, said plurality of arms each comprising a trained portion, said trained portion comprising a shape memory material, wherein said trained portion has a relaxed orientation;   extending said trained portion from a delivery shaft into a left atrium of a patient;   positioning a second electrode in a right atrium of the patient;   inducing tissue regrowth by applying energy between said first electrode and said second electrode.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in claim  19 , further comprising the step of removing said first electrode from said left atrium through an opening no larger than the outer diameter of the distal end of said delivery shaft. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in claim  19 , further comprising the step of pulling said trained portion back into said delivery shaft. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in claim  19 , wherein said trained portion comprises the entire arm. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in claim  19 , wherein said trained portion comprises less than the entire arm.