Expandable implant devices for filtering blood flow from atrial appendages

A method for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• providing a device comprising a membrane tube having at least a first closed end wherein said first closed end comprises a blood-permeable filter;
• inserting said device in said appendage;
• positioning said closed end to cover said ostium;
• and
• anchoring said device in said atrial appendage.

A device for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• a cover comprising:
• a filter element having a predetermined size;
• and
• an expandable membrane attached to said filter element;
• and
• an expandable structure for deploying said cover,
• wherein said expandable membrane stretches as said cover is deployed and allows said predetermined size to remain substantially unchanged.

A method for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• providing a cover comprising an expandable membrane attached to a filter element having a predetermined size;
• providing an expandable structure to deploy said cover across said ostium;
• and
• positioning said cover across said ostium using said expandable structure,
• wherein said positioning comprises stretching said expandable membrane such that said predetermined size is substantially unchanged.

A method for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• providing an expandable structure comprising a blood-permeable filter, said expandable structure having an axial length less than about the length of an ostium;
• providing anchors attached to said expandable structure;
• disposing said expandable structure within said ostium;
• positioning said expandable structure to cover said ostium;
• and
• expanding said expandable structure so that said anchors engage surrounding ostium wall tissue.

A device for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• a first structure comprising a blood-permeable filter element;
• and
• a second structure attached to said first structure, said rear structure comprising at least one inflatable anchor set,
• wherein said first structure is deployed across said ostium, and wherein said inflatable anchor set when inflated engages interior wall tissue of said atrial appendage to secure said device in its deployed position.

A method for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• a first structure comprising a blood-permeable filter element;
• and
• a second structure attached to said first structure, said second structure comprising at least one inflatable anchor set;
• positioning said first structure to cover said ostium;
• disposing said second structure interior to said atrial appendage;
• and
• inflating said anchor set expanding so that said anchors engage surrounding atrial appendage wall tissue.

A device for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• an expandable structure comprising:
• a first portion having a blood-permeable filter element;
• and
• a second portion having a cylindrical shape;
• and
• anchors disposed on at least part of the exterior surface of said second portion,
• wherein when said device is deployed in about the vicinity of said ostium by expanding said expandable structure said first portion covers said ostium to direct said blood flow through said filter element and said anchors engage surrounding wall tissue.

A method for filtering blood flow through the ostium of an atrial appendage, comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• an expandable structure, said expandable structure comprising:
• a first portion having a blood-permeable filter element;
• and
• a second portion having a cylindrical shape;
• and
• anchors disposed on at least part of the exterior surface of said second portion;
• and
• deploying said device in about the vicinity of said ostium wherein said deploying comprises:
• positioning said first portion to cover said ostium;
• and
• expanding said expandable structure so that said anchors engage surrounding wall tissue.