Disclosed is an occluder for closing an intracardiac defect, such as a
patent foramen ovale (PFO), and a method for making the same. The
occluder includes a frame and at least one scaffold which are formed from
a bioabsorbable polymer, such as poly-4-hydroxybutyrate. The surface of
the frame and scaffold are textured to promote cell attachment. Texturing
of the surface can be achieved by any number of mechanical or chemical
procedures. The device is coated with collagen and heparin which are
covalently bound to the surface of the device. The occluder provides
improved defect closure compared to other septal occluders known in the
art. In particular, the occluder described is specifically designed to
improve host cell attachment to and tissue ingrowth over the device when
implanted in a patient as compared to the level of host cell attachment
and tissue ingrowth achieved with other implantable devices made of
bioabsorbable polymers.