Left Atrial Appendage Implant

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes an implantable medical device designed to occlude (seal off) the left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart. The device has a radially expandable structure that can be delivered to the LAA in a minimally invasive (percutaneous) manner using a catheter. Its expandable feature is controlled via a unique mechanism, allowing gradual and precise deployment and repositioning inside the heart. The device can be locked in place once the correct position and expansion are achieved, enhancing control and placement accuracy during procedures. The implant may also feature anchors for secure fixation and may have a mesh or membrane for blood compatibility and effective occlusion.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation by sealing off the LAA, which is a common source of blood clots.
• Providing an alternative treatment for patients who cannot take long-term anticoagulant medication.
• Use in minimally invasive cardiac procedures to reduce recovery times and procedural risks.
• Potential application in heart valve replacement or repair where precise controllable expansion of implants is required.
• Controlled closure or isolation of other anatomically similar cardiac structures if adapted.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows precise, controlled and gradual deployment, reducing the risk of improper placement and associated complications.
• Can be repositioned and locked in place, allowing for adjustments during the procedure and minimizing the need for device retrieval or replacement.
• Minimally invasive delivery reduces patient recovery time, pain, and procedural risk compared to open heart surgery.
• Potential to reduce the need for anticoagulation therapy, thus lowering bleeding risks for certain patients.
• Customizable expansion adapts to different patient anatomies, potentially reducing the variety of device sizes needed in clinical inventory.
• Secure anchoring and sealing help prevent migration and ensure effective closure, decreasing the risk of strokes.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

An implant (1) for occluding a left atrial appendage comprises a radially expansible element (2) configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The radially expansible element (2) comprises a pair of core elements (3) which extends in direction of a longitudinal axis (4). The pair of core elements (3) comprises a first core element (5) and a second core element (6). The first and second core elements (5, 6) are stacked in direction of said longitudinal axis (4). The pair of core elements (3) has an outer circumference (7) and the first core element (5) and the second core element (6) each enclose a cavity (8). The first core element (5) and the second core element (6) are rotatable relative to one another.The radially expansible element (2) further comprises a driving and locking element arranged in the respective cavities (8) of the pair of core elements (3) for rotating the first core element (5) and the second core element (6) relative to one another so as to move the radially expansible element (2) from the collapsed configuration into the expanded configuration and for locking the first core element (5) and the second core element (6) relative to one another, wherein the driving and locking element is adapted for being engaged with a rotatable pin mounted at the tip of an elongated catheter member.The radially expansible element (2) further comprises a plurality of pairs of bendable spokes (9) extending from the pair of core elements (3) in an outward direction, each of the pairs of bendable spokes (9) having a first spoke member (10) and a second spoke member (11), the first and second spoke members (10, 11) being stacked in direction of said longitudinal axis (4), and each of said first and second spoke members (10, 11) having an inner end (12) and an outer end (13).The radially expansible element (2) further comprises a plurality of shell elements (14) attached to the outer end (13) of the spoke members (9), and extending transversely from the outer end (13) of the spoke members (9) in a curved manner, the shell elements (14) having a proximal end (15) and a distal end (16).The inner end (12) of the first spoke member (9) is connected to the outer circumference (7) of the first core element (5), and the inner end (12) of the second spoke member (6) is connected to the outer circumference (7) of the second core element (6). The outer ends (13) of the first and second spoke members (10, 11) are both connected to the proximal end (15) of the shell elements (14). The distal end (16) of the shell elements (14) is configured to overlap with a proximal end (15) of the shell elements (14) in the expanded configuration of the radially expansible element (2) so as to form a substantially circular outer circumference (17) of the radially expansible element (2).