Fixation device delivery catheter, systems and methods of use

A system for approximating tissue at a treatment site comprising:

• an elongated flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a main lumen therebetween;
• first, second and third movable elements extending through the main lumen from the proximal to the distal end and being movable relative to the shaft;
• and
• an approximation device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the approximation device having first and second engaging elements for engaging and holding a tissue portion therebetween in approximation with another tissue portion and a locking mechanism, the first engaging element being coupled to the first movable element so that manipulation of the first engaging element moves the first movable element, the second engaging element being coupled to the second movable element so that manipulation of the second engaging element moves the second movable element and the third movable element being coupled to the locking mechanism.

A system for approximating tissue at a treatment site comprising:

• an elongated flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a main lumen therebetween;
• first, second and third movable elements extending through the main lumen from the proximal to the distal end and being movable relative to the shaft;
• an approximation device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the approximation device having first, second and third engaging elements for engaging and holding a tissue portion therebetween in approximation with another tissue portion, the first engaging element being coupled to the first movable element so that manipulation of the first engaging element moves the first movable element, the second engaging element being coupled to the second movable element so that manipulation of the second engaging element moves the second movable element and the third engaging element being coupled to the third movable element so that manipulation of the third engaging element moves the third movable element;
• and
• an actuator handle connected to the proximal end of the shaft, the actuator handle having a body, a first actuation element movably coupled thereto, the first actuation element being coupled to the first movable element, a second actuation element movably coupled thereto, the second actuation element being coupled to the second movable element, and a third actuation element moveably coupled thereto, the third actuation element being coupled to the third moveable element.

A system for approximating tissue at a treatment site comprising:

• an elongated flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a main lumen therebetween;
• first, second and third flexible tubular guides extending from the proximal end to the distal end through the main lumen, the first and second tubular guides being fixed to the shaft near the proximal end or near the distal end and being unconstrained therebetween so as to be laterally movable within the main lumen;
• a first movable element movably disposed in the first flexible tubular guide;
• a second movable element movably disposed in the second flexible tubular guide;
• a third moveable element movably disposed in the third flexible tubular guide;
• and
• an approximation device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the approximation device having first and second movable engaging elements for engaging therebetween, the first engaging element being coupled to the first movable element, the second engaging element being coupled to the second movable element and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being coupled to the third movable element.