Devices, systems, and methods for inverting and closing the left atrial appendage

A system for inverting an occluding a left atrial appendage, the system comprising:

• a catheter configured for introduction into a mammalian blood vessel and advancement to a left atrium of a heart and into a left atrial appendage, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a balloon configured for inflation and deflation, and further defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• a vacuum tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen, and a second lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end of vacuum tube configured to engage a targeted tissue;
• a snare comprising an elongated wire having a proximal end, a distal end, a diameter and a separation mechanism, the snare disposed within the second lumen of the vacuum tube and outside of the first lumen of the vacuum tube, the distal end configured to move from an open position to a closed position, and the separation mechanism configured to detach the distal end from the proximal end upon activation;
• an outer scaffold coupled with an exterior of the tubular body, the outer scaffold configured for expansion and to be anchored within an interior of the left atrial appendage upon expansion, the outer scaffold having a diameter, and the outer scaffold is separated from the vacuum tube;
• and
• an occluder membrane coupled with the outer scaffold and configured to move from a constricted position to an expanded position, the expanded position of the occluder membrane configured for occluding an orifice of the left atrial appendage;
• and
• wherein the vacuum tube and the snare are slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular body and each configured for advancement through the distal end of the tubular body;
• and
• wherein the second lumen of the vacuum tube is concentric with the first lumen.

A method for closing a left atrial appendage, the method comprising the steps of:

• inverting a distal portion of a left atrial appendage;
• and
• constraining the inverted distal portion of the left atrial appendage using a catheter system configured to fit within an interior of the left atrial appendage, the catheter system comprising:
• a catheter configured for introduction into a mammalian blood vessel and advancement into the left atrial appendage, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends,
• a vacuum tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen, and a second lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end of vacuum tube configured to engage the distal portion of the left atrial appendage,
• a snare comprising an elongated wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a separation mechanism, the snare disposed within the second lumen of the vacuum tube and outside of the first lumen of the vacuum tube, the distal end configured to move from an open position to a closed position and the separation mechanism integral with the proximal end of the elongated wire and configured to detach the distal end from the proximal end upon activation, and
• wherein the vacuum tube and the snare are slidably disposed within the lumen of the elongated tubular body and each configured for advancement through the distal end of the elongated tubular body, and
• wherein the second lumen of the vacuum tube is concentric with the first lumen.