Device for containing embolic material in the LAA having a plurality of tissue retention structures

DETAILED DESCRIPTION There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of occluding an atrial appendage.
The method comprises the steps of inhibiting changes in the volume of the appendage, and occluding the opening to the appendage.
The inhibiting changes in the volume step preferably comprises introducing a bulking element into the appendage to resist compression of the appendage wall.
Preferably, the bulking element is an expandable element.
In one embodiment, the introducing an expandable bulking element step comprises deploying a self-expandable bulking element from a deployment catheter.
The occluding step comprises positioning an occlusion element to enclose the bulking element within the appendage.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating cell growth onto an atrial appendage occlusion device.
The method comprises the steps of positioning an occlusion device across the opening of the appendage, the occlusion device having a tissue attachment surface thereon.
The method additionally comprises the step of resisting compression of the appendage at least during a tissue attachment period of time.
The resisting step preferably comprises positioning a bulking structure within the appendage.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occlusion device for implantation within the left atrial appendage.
The occlusion device comprises an occluding member, enlargeable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section.
The occlusion device may further comprise a stabilizing member, enlargeable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section.
The enlarged cross section of the stabilizing member may be less than the enlarged cross section of the occlusion member.
Any of the occluding member and stabilizing member structures disclosed herein can be provided as an occluding member alone, without the corresponding stabilizing member.
The occlusion device preferably further comprises a hub between the occlusion member and the stabilizing member