Systems and Methods for Treating Septal Defects

In a medical treatment apparatus having a longitudinal axis for deploying an implantable closure member through the septum walls of a patent foramen ovale, the improvement comprising:

• a needle adapted to pierce the septum secundum and the septum primum of a patent foramen ovale, said needle having a lumen,
• a housing having a lumen which houses said needle,
• a grasper adapted to grasp the limbus of the septum secundum and to alter the orientation of the distal end of said housing relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus,
• said needle housing a closure member in the lumen therein, said closure member having a body comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion located therebetween, the first end portion being configured to engage a first outer septal surface of the septum primum, the second end portion being configured to engage a second outer septal surface of the septum secundum and the central portion being configured to fit within an opening in the septal walls formed by said needle that traverses a septal defect tunnel, at least one of said portions being coiled.