Systems and methods for securing cardiovascular tissue
US7257450B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/403
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems for securing tissues, e.g., cardiovascular tissues, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes inserting a portion of a catheter into an opening between a first portion of cardiovascular tissue and a second portion of cardiovascular tissue. The method can further include drawing the first and second portions of the cardiovascular tissue into contact with each other by drawing a vacuum in a region adjacent to the first and second portions of cardiovascular tissue via the catheter while the catheter is positioned between the first and second portions. The tissue portions can be fused by heating the tissue from within the opening, e.g., via radio frequency energy. This technique, and associated catheter system, can be used to close a patent foramen ovale or other openings in cardiovascular tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.