Implantable sealing device

Abstract

An implantable sealing device is disclosed herein and includes an elongated elastic member having distal and a proximal ends, at least one sealing element including braiding having outside and inside faces. The braiding can include of a plurality of fine threads of a memory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane. The braiding can also include a fixing member positioned at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positioned opposite to the braiding.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable sealing device comprising:
 a) an elongated elastic member having a distal end and a proximal end;   b) at least one sealing element comprising a braiding including an umbrella shape and having outside and inside faces, the braiding being positioned respectively at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member, wherein the braiding includes a plurality of fine threads of a memory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane; and   c) a fixing member being positioned respectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positioned opposite to the braiding.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the braiding includes at least 30 threads made of Nitinol. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said threads are about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm in diameter 
     
     
         4 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the braiding is configured to adapt to an anatomical shape of an apex of a left ventricle when in use. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the braiding includes 30 to 100 threads. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the braiding includes about 70 to about 90 threads and wherein the threads are about 0.05 mm to about 0.13 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the braiding includes about 70 to about 90 threads and wherein the threads are about 0.1 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the braiding is positioned at the distal end of the elastic member. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is a biocompatible plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible plastic is silicone or polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outside face of the braiding is membrane coated. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is a coil spring. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixing member includes radially expandable arms. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is folded inside the tube of the trocar. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sealing a tissue opening, especially a trocar tube opening in a myocardium at an apex of a left ventricle comprising the steps of:
 a) inserting a trocar tube including a folded sealing device and guiding the trocar tube through an opening in a myocardium into a patient's left ventricle, the sealing device comprising:
 i) an elongated elastic member having a distal and a proximal end; 
 ii) at least one sealing element comprising a braiding extending radially from the elongated elastic member having outside and inside faces, the braiding being positioned respectively at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member, wherein the braiding includes a plurality of fine threads of a memory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane; and 
 iii) a fixing member being positioned respectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positioned opposite to the braiding; 
   b) pushing the braiding out of the trocar tube so that the umbrella moves from a folded position into a deployed position whereas the fixing member remains inside the trocar tube;   c) stretching the elastic member by means of a tensioning cord and pulling the pre-stretched elastic member out of the opening in a myocardium whereby the fixing member is placed against a tissue of a myocardium and moves from a folded position into a deployed position;   d) removing the trocar tube whereby the elastic member remains stretched; and   e) removing tension from the elastic member whereby the fixing member anchors in a tissue of a myocardium.   
     
     
         16 . A tissue sealing device, comprising:
 a) an elongated elastic member having a first end and a second end;   b) a braided sealing member disposed on at least one of the first and second ends, the braided sealing member configured to radially extend upon release from an insertion device;   c) an anchor member disposed on the at least one of the first and second ends, the anchor member configured to anchor the elongated member to tissue, wherein the elongated elastic member provides a compressive force between the braided sealing member and the anchor member such that tissue is compressed therebetween upon anchoring of the tissue sealing device.   
     
     
         17 . The sealing device according to  claim 16 , wherein the braided sealing member includes threads of a shape memory material. 
     
     
         18 . The sealing device according to  claim 17 , wherein the threads are about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The sealing device according to  claim 16 , wherein the braided sealing member includes an umbrella shape.