Importance

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Abstract

A device for excluding the inner cavity of the left internal appendage (LAA) from the interior of the left atrium LA may include a pair of compression members spaced apart and defining a closed periphery. The closed periphery has a variable-sized opening therein that can be enlarged to surround the LAA and then closed to compress and exclude the LAA. The closed periphery may be generally rectangular or lenticular, and may be a solid, contiguous periphery or separable at a closure. Inner protrusions or ribs may be provided on the compression members to help anchor the exclusion device in place. Needles may also be provided to pierce the LAA tissue and trap blood clots therein. The device may be non-linear in plan view so as to conform to the shape of the external left atrium. Deployment techniques or structures may be provided that squeeze the LAA in a direction starting adjacent the left atrium and then moving away from the left atrium. This squeezing motion helps prevent extrusion of any thrombus deposit within the LAA cavity into the left atrium.

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First Claim