US6645225B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for plugging a patent foramen ovale formed in the heart
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-11-01
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Granted: 2003-11-11
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Expires: 2020-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A percutaneous catheter based method and apparatus for removably plugging a Patent Forman Ovale (PFO) in a patient's heart deploys a threaded surgical plug into the PFO. The plug is removably connected to a flexible connector. The plus is deployed in the PFO by advancing it through a catheter and rotating it into the PFO, then disengaging the flexible connector. The plug may be optionally removed by re-engaging the flexible connector and rotating the plug out of the PFO.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvan W. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/0057; A61B17/068; A61B2017/00575; A61B2017/00579; A61B2017/00601; A61B2017/00615; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of plugging a Patent Foramen Ovale formed in a heart, comprising: inserting a threaded plug into the Patent Foramen Ovale; and rotating said threaded plug and securing said threaded plug in the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of plugging a Patent Foramen Ovale formed in a heart, comprising: inserting a threaded plug into the Patent Foramen Ovale; and rotating said threaded plug and securing said threaded plug in the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said threaded plug is placed in the Patent Foramen Ovale via a catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said threaded plug is delivered to the Patent Foramen Ovale by a carrier that is advanced through said catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising decoupling said threaded plug from said carrier when said plug is secured in the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein decoupling said threaded plug from said carrier is performed by advancing a plunger through said carrier to said threaded plug, and contacting the threaded plug with the plunger and urging the threaded plug from the carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of rotating said threaded plug is performed by rotating the carrier secured to the threaded plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 6 , further including attaching a first member to said threaded plug such that during the procedure for plugging the Patent Foramen Ovale, both the carrier and first member are secured to the threaded plug and wherein the threaded plug is decoupled from both the carrier and the first member after the threaded plug has been secured within the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 3 further including attaching a first member to said threaded plug such that during the procedure for plugging the Patent Foramen Ovale both the carrier and first member are secured to the threaded plug while the threaded plug is being advanced through the catheter to the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of rotating said threaded plug is performed by rotating the first member which results in the threaded plug being screwed into the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said,threaded plug may be removed from the Patent Foramen Ovale after insertion therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a guide wire into the heart containing the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising sizing the Patent Foramen Ovale, and terminating the procedure if the Patent Foramen Ovale is not within a predetermined size range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
130 words
The method of claim 1 further including: a. directing a guide wire into the heart and the Patent Foramen Ovale; b. inserting a catheter over the guide wire and extending the catheter towards the Patent Foramen Ovale; c. securing the threaded plug to a carrier, threading the guide wire through the carrier and threaded plug, and moving the carrier and threaded plug towards the Patent Foramen Ovale; d. securing a first member to the threaded plug, threading the guide wire through the first member, and moving the first member towards the Patent Foramen Ovale as the carrier is moved towards the Patent Foramen Ovale; and e. decoupling the threaded plug from both the carrier and the first member after the threaded plug has been secured within the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 including the threaded plug into the Patent Foramen Ovale by rotating the carrier and the first member together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 including decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier and the first member after the threaded plug has been secured within the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 including decoupling the threaded plug from the first member before decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 including inserting a sizer into the Patent Foramen Ovale to determine the approximate size of the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the carrier includes a seat for receiving the threaded plug and wherein the threaded plug is press fitted into the seat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 18 wherein decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier includes inserting a second member into the carrier and contacting the threaded plug with the second member and urging the threaded plug from the seat of the carrier, thereby decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the first member secured to the threaded plug is threaded into a threaded bore formed in the threaded plug and wherein the first member is decoupled from the threaded plug by unscrewing the first member therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the carrier includes a central opening and wherein the first member is extended through the central opening of the carrier while being secured to the threaded plug.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the carrier includes a terminal end portion having a seat for receiving and holding the threaded plug.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the threaded plug includes a tapped hole and wherein the first member includes a threaded end portion that is adapted to be secured into the tapped hole of the threaded plug.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 23 wherein decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier and the first member includes first unscrewing the first member from the tapped hole within the threaded plug and then inserting a second member through the central opening of the carrier and contacting the threaded plug and urging the threaded plug from the seat formed on the terminal end of the carrier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 further including: a. inserting a catheter into the heart; b. securing the threaded plug to a carrier and inserting the carrier and threaded plug into the catheter and moving the carrier and the threaded plug through the catheter towards the Patent Foramen Ovale; and c. after securing the threaded plug into the Patent Foramen Ovale, decoupling the threaded plug from the carrier and removing the carrier from the catheter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 25 including securing a first member to the threaded plug and maintaining the secured relationship between the threaded plug and the first member as the carrier is moved towards the Patent Foramen Ovale.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
116 words
A surgical kit for plugging an opening in a heart comprising: a. a threaded plug adapted to be secured into the opening in the heart; b. a carrier for holding the threaded plug and for delivering the threaded plug to the opening in the heart; c. a catheter for receiving the carrier and threaded plug and permitting the carrier and threaded plug to be moved therethrough to the opening in the heart; and d. a first member adapted to be removably secured to the threaded plug such that during certain times during the surgical procedure of plugging the opening in the human heart, both the carrier and the first member are connected to the threaded plug.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
116 words
A surgical kit for plugging an opening in a heart comprising: a. a threaded plug adapted to be secured into the opening in the heart; b. a carrier for holding the threaded plug and for delivering the threaded plug to the opening in the heart; c. a catheter for receiving the carrier and threaded plug and permitting the carrier and threaded plug to be moved therethrough to the opening in the heart; and d. a first member adapted to be removably secured to the threaded plug such that during certain times during the surgical procedure of plugging the opening in the human heart, both the carrier and the first member are connected to the threaded plug.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical kit of claim 27 further including a second member for disengaging the threaded plug from the carrier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical kit of claim 28 wherein the second member comprises a plunger that is adapted to be inserted into the catheter for contacting the threaded plug and urging threaded plug from the carrier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical kit of claim 28 further including a sizer for measuring the approximate size of the opening in the heart.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical kit of claim 30 wherein said sizer contains a plurality of indicia visible under a surgical imaging system wherein said indicia correspond to the diameter of said sizer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical kit of claim 31 wherein the sizer includes a tapered terminal end having a variable diameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical kit of claim 28 wherein said threaded plug includes a tapped hole and wherein the first member includes a threaded end portion operative to be removably coupled with said tapped hole.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical kit of claim 27 further including a guide wire adapted to lie interiorally of the threaded plug, carrier and catheter during a surgical procedure for plugging an opening in the heart.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
71 words
A threaded plug for plugging an opening in a heart, comprising: a. a tip; b. a circumferential lip spaced from said tip and adapted to lie adjacent heart tissue surrounding the opening; c. a threaded portion disposed generally between said tip and said circumferential lip and including threads formed about an outer surface of the threaded plug; and d. a threaded hole for threadedly engaging and connecting to a first member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
71 words
A threaded plug for plugging an opening in a heart, comprising: a. a tip; b. a circumferential lip spaced from said tip and adapted to lie adjacent heart tissue surrounding the opening; c. a threaded portion disposed generally between said tip and said circumferential lip and including threads formed about an outer surface of the threaded plug; and d. a threaded hole for threadedly engaging and connecting to a first member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plug of claim 35 , wherein the plug assumes a tapered configuration.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The plug of claim 36 , wherein the taper gives rise to a plug diameter that becomes progressively smaller from the lip to the tip.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The plug of claim 35 , further including a base portion opposite said tip.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plug of claim 35 , further comprising a tapered aperture formed adjacent said threaded hole and operative to guide said first member into said threaded hole.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plug of claim 39 wherein the tapered aperture includes a relatively wide entry and from the relatively wide entry the tapered aperture becomes progressively smaller towards the threaded hole.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plug of claim 35 including a cilia formed on the circumferential lip.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plug of claim 35 wherein the tip is adapted to expand after the plug has been secured within the opening of the heart.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
92 words
A surgical kit for plugging an opening in a heart comprising: a. a threaded plug adapted to be secured into the opening of the heart; b. a carrier for holding the threaded plug and for delivering the threaded plug to the opening in the heart; c. a catheter for receiving the carrier and threaded plug and permitting the carrier and threaded plug to be moved therethrough to the opening in the heart; and d. a guide wire adapted to lie internally of the threaded plug, carrier and catheter during a surgical procedure.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
92 words
A surgical kit for plugging an opening in a heart comprising: a. a threaded plug adapted to be secured into the opening of the heart; b. a carrier for holding the threaded plug and for delivering the threaded plug to the opening in the heart; c. a catheter for receiving the carrier and threaded plug and permitting the carrier and threaded plug to be moved therethrough to the opening in the heart; and d. a guide wire adapted to lie internally of the threaded plug, carrier and catheter during a surgical procedure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-11-10 | 2007-05-12 | 2007-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | 2011-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-10 | 2015-05-12 | 2015-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |