The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical
aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale
(PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. The
occluder is formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each
side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The
loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at
least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some
embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The
occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed
state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are
disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture
and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder exerts a
compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.