| abstract |
A device for occluding septal defects or other bodily passageways including PFOs, includes an occluding body formed from a plurality of flexible outwardly radiating occluding wires connected to one or more biocompatible sheet materials. The occluding wires are joined together at proximal wire ends. Linking members connectively link the occluding body to a flexible, substantially linear anchor formed from at least one tube, coil, or bar. The anchor is configured for placement on one side of bodily passageway, whereby the longitudinal axis of at least one anchor extends across a transverse cross-section of the bodily passageway, anchoring the occluding body in place against the other side of a bodily passageway to close, occlude, or fill at least a lumenal portion of a bodily passageway. The anchor may include one or more grasping member(s) integrally formed or connected to the tube, coil, or bar for releasable attachment to an anchor engaging member, such as a biopsy forceps. In a further aspect, a closure device assembly includes a delivery catheter housing a collapsibly disposed closure device linked to a biopsy forceps. The biopsy forceps may be positioned in a locking catheter, which is configured to prevent inadvertent release of the closure device when held in a compressed state inside the delivery catheter. By positioning the catheter near a bodily passageway, such as a PFO, and disengaging the anchor engaging member from the grasping member, the closure device may be released so as to facilitate stable closure of the bodily passageway. |