Curved Arm Intracardiac Occluder

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for occluding intracardiac defects, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The devices according to the invention have various features that enhance the flexibility of the device and improve the device's ability to conform to the location of the intracardiac defect. In particular, intracardiac occluders with curved arms are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intracardiac occluder, comprising:
 a central body portion;   a proximal occlusion shell comprising a first arm comprising a curve extending from a hub end to a free end of the first arm and a second arm comprising a curve extending from a hub end to a free end of the second arm, said second arm curving in a direction opposite to a direction of the first arm; and   a distal occlusion shell, wherein said central body portion is secured between said proximal occlusion shell and said distal occlusion shell for positioning said device in a defect.   
     
     
         2 . The intracardiac occluder of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of arms are joint-free. 
     
     
         3 . The proximal occlusion shell of  claim 1 , wherein said second arm comprising a curve is adjacent to said first arm comprising a curve. 
     
     
         4 . The proximal occlusion shell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first arm or said second arm comprises a curve extending from the hub end to the free end in a constantly changing plane around a central axis. 
     
     
         5 . The proximal occlusion shell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first arm or said second arm curves such that the hub end is in a same plane as the free end and all other points on the arm. 
     
     
         6 . The proximal occlusion shell of  claim 5 , wherein the hub end and the free end of said first arm are in a first plane and the hub end and the free end of said second arm are in a second plane. 
     
     
         7 . The proximal occlusion shell of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one straight arm.