Systems and methods for facilitating closure of bodily openings

Abstract

The present embodiments provide a system for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, the system comprises an anchor having a deployed state dimensioned for engaging tissue surrounding the opening, a first tether coupled to the anchor and extending proximally therefrom, and a graft member comprising a first bore disposed therein. The anchor may comprise a width that is larger than a width of the opening such that the anchor is disposed securely within or distal to the opening. The first tether is dimensioned to be disposed through the first bore in the graft member, such that the graft member is advanced distally over the first tether. The graft member then may be secured to the anchor. Various anchor designs are provided along with a supporting framework that may be coupled to the graft member.

1 . A system for facilitating closure of a bodily opening, the system comprising:
 an anchor having a deployed state dimensioned for engaging tissue surrounding the opening;   a first tether coupled to the anchor and extending proximally from the anchor; and   a graft member comprising a first bore disposed therein,   wherein the first tether is dimensioned to be disposed through the first bore in the graft member such that the graft member is advanced distally over the first tether after deployment of the anchor within or distal to the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises a width that is larger than a width of the opening to frictionally engage the anchor within the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises a plug of material including a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises a plug of material comprising a pre-deployment state having a diamond shape. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising an actuator coupled to the plug of material, wherein the actuator moves the plug of material from the pre-deployment state to the deployed state, and wherein actuator comprises a loop member configured to reduce a height of the plug of material while increasing a width of the plug of material in the deployed state. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of deployable members that are biased radially outward in the deployed state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  where the anchor comprises a width in the deployed state, defined by a distance between distal ends of opposing deployable members, wherein the width of the anchor in the deployed state is greater than a width of the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a supporting framework coupled to the graft member, wherein the supporting framework comprises a plurality of deployable members. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the supporting framework comprises a plurality of eyelets, wherein the graft member is sutured to the supporting framework around at least one of the eyelets. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second tether coupled to the anchor, wherein the first tether is disposed through the first bore in the graft member and the second tether is disposed through a second bore in the graft member, wherein the graft member is advanced over the first and second tethers, and the first and second tethers are tied together. 
     
     
         11 . A method for facilitating closure of a bodily opening, the method comprising:
 providing an anchor and a first tether coupled to the anchor, the first tether extending proximally away from the anchor;   deploying the anchor into engagement with tissue surrounding the opening;   advancing a graft member comprising a first bore distally over the first tether, with the first tether being disposed through the first bore;   positioning the graft member at a desired location relative to the tissue and covering the opening; and   securing the engagement of the graft member to the anchor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the anchor comprises a plug of material including a plurality of filaments, the method further comprising actuating an actuator to move the plug of material from a pre-deployment state to a deployed state, wherein the actuator reduces a height of the plug of material while increasing a width of the plug of material in the deployed state relative to the pre-deployment state. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of deployable members that are biased radially outward in the deployed state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a supporting framework coupled to the graft member, wherein the supporting framework comprises a plurality of deployable members. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the supporting framework comprises a plurality of eyelets, the method further comprising suturing the graft member to the supporting framework around at least one of the eyelets. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 providing a second tether coupled to the anchor; 
 disposing the first tether the first bore in the graft member and disposing the second tether through a second bore in the graft member; 
 advancing the graft member over the first and second tethers; and 
 tying the first and second tethers together to secure the graft member to the anchor. 
 
     
     
         17 . A system for facilitating closure of a bodily opening, the system comprising:
 an anchor having a deployed state, wherein the anchor comprises a width in the deployed state that is greater than a width of the opening to securely engage tissue surrounding the opening;   a graft member; and   a first tether coupled to the anchor and extending proximally from the anchor, the first tether configured for guiding the graft member towards the anchor when the anchor is in the deployed state, and further configured for securing the graft member to the anchor.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the anchor comprises a plug of material including a plurality of filaments, wherein the plug of material comprises a diamond shape in a pre-deployment state. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of deployable members that are biased radially outward in the deployed state, wherein the width of the anchor in the deployed state is defined by a distance between distal ends of opposing deployable members. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a second tether coupled to the anchor, wherein the graft member comprises first and second bores, where the first tether is disposed through the first bore in the graft member and the second tether is disposed through the second bore in the graft member, where the graft member is advanced over the first and second tethers, and the first and second tethers are tied together.