In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for occluding an aperture in a body, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), including a first side adapted to be disposed on one side of the septum and a second side adapted to be disposed on the opposite side of the septum. The device has an elongated, low-profile delivery configuration and a shortened, radially expanded deployment configuration. The first and second sides are adapted to occlude the aperture upon deployment of the device at its intended delivery location. The device also includes a radially expandable center portion. In some embodiments, the center portion includes a plurality of ribs provided by slits in device. The ribs expand radially when the device is deployed. The expandable center portion facilitates the positioning of the device in the aperture. The device can be secured in the deployed configuration using a catch system.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including an implantable fixation device including a first distal element and a second distal element, a first proximal element moveable relative to the first distal element between a first position and a second position, and a second proximal element moveable relative to the second distal element between a first position and a second position. The system further includes a delivery device including a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the implantable fixation device releasably coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter, the catheter defining at least one lumen extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The delivery device further includes a first proximal element line extending through the at least one lumen, the first proximal element line coupled to the first proximal element and actuatable to move the first proximal element between the first position and second position, and a second proximal element line extending through the at least one lumen, the second proximal element line coupled to the second proximal element and actuatable to move the second proximal element between the first position and second position. The first proximal element line and the second proximal element line are independently actuatable.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element is biased toward the first arm, and the second gripping element is biased toward the second arm. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element.

A method for closing a puncture in tissue that includes advancing a guide member into proximity with the tissue, the guide member having a needle guide, positioning a distal end of the guide member with the needle guide toward the tissue to present an opening of the needle guide toward the tissue the needle guide cooperating with a suture securing device that is slidably coupled to the guide member and a suture attached to the suture securing device, deploying the suture securing device, the suture securing device comprising a body with an anchor point for the suture and features that allow the suture securing device to pierce the tissue and resist retraction through the tissue, and establishing tension in the suture to move the suture securing device toward another suture securing device to thereby close the puncture in the tissue.

A closure device system for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a vessel wall can comprise a toggle configured to engage an interior surface of the vessel wall, a plug configured to engage an exterior surface of the vessel wall, and a suture that extends through the plug and through the toggle along at least a first direction so as to couple the toggle to the plug. The system can further comprise a tube that extends through the plug and through the toggle along the first direction such that a distal end of the tube is disposed distally to the toggle. The tube can define a guidewire lumen that extends therethrough along the first direction. And the guidewire lumen can be configured to receive a guidewire that protrudes from the vessel wall such that the plug, toggle, and tube are slidable along the guidewire toward the vessel wall.

Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue includes an introducer sheath sized for introduction into a puncture, cartridge sized for insertion into the introducer carrying a sealant, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element couples the introducer sheath to the cartridge such that subsequent retraction of the cartridge causes the introducer sheath to retract, thereby deploying the sealant from the cartridge within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath.

Self-expanding plug embodiments may be used in conjunction with vascular closure device embodiments to promote hemostasis at surgical sites or any other suitable location. In some cases, vascular closure device embodiments may include self-expanding plug embodiments in order to promote hemostasis at a surgical site during a vascular closure procedure.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, and a fixation device releasably coupled to the delivery catheter. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each include a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

An occluder and an occlusion device, including: a mesh occlusion body, which defines a cavity, and a proximal end bolt head; the proximal end bolt head configured with a locking hole which penetrates the cavity; the occluder further having a locking member, a distal end of the locking member being connected to a distal end of the occlusion body; the locking member having a connecting portion which is connected to the occlusion body; the diameter of a circumscribed circle of a projection of the first bending portion on a cross section perpendicular to a length direction thereof being smaller than the diameter of the smallest inscribed circle of a locking hole, and the width of a projection of the first bending portion on a plane perpendicular to longitudinal central axis direction of the locking hole being larger than the diameter of the largest inscribed circle of the locking hole.

A closure system configured to facilitate hemostasis at a puncture of a vessel includes a delivery sheath that extends longitudinally from a delivery sheath proximal end to a delivery sheath distal end. The delivery sheath defines a delivery sheath lumen extending therethrough and configured to receive a first guidewire therethrough. The system also includes an introducer needle configured to selectively couple to the delivery sheath for movement relative to the delivery sheath. The introducer needle is configured to form a secondary access site in the vessel at an offset from the puncture after the delivery sheath distal end is advanced through the puncture. The system further includes a stylet configured to be received through the delivery sheath lumen adjacent to the first guidewire. The stylet includes a stylet magnet configured to magnetically couple to a guidewire magnet of a second guidewire advanced through the secondary access site.