Patent 7192435 was granted and assigned to CARDIA, INC. on March, 2007 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The present invention provides an occluder with a plurality of flexible rings that comprise a self centering mechanism to keep the occluder properly centered in a defect. The self centering mechanism is located between the left and right sides of the occluder. Because the occluder remains properly centered, the chance that portions of the aperture will be exposed is reduced and the effectiveness of the occluder is increased.