Systems and methods for severing occlusive elements from a delivery catheter

• US 20060036280A1
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Pierce, Ryan K., French, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US10/917,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12113 within an aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12168 having a mesh structure A61B17/1214 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12054 Details concerning the detachment of the occluding device from the introduction device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12068 detachable by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12077 Joint changing shape upon application of heat, e.g. bi-metal or reversible thermal memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12081 detachable by inflation

Abstract

The present invention advantageously provides alternative systems and methods for severing implantable occlusive devices, particularly hydratable polymeric filaments, from delivery catheters during and/or subsequent to intraluminal delivery, advancement, and/or positioning of occluding filaments into treatment sites. One method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter comprises positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen and advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site. Energy is then transmitted to a severing element so as to break the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.

Claims

1. A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:

positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;

advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;

transmitting energy to a severing element; and

breaking the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted energy heats the severing element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the severing element is heated to a temperature in a range from about body temperature to about 700°

F.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the breaking is performed using the heated severing element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the severing element comprises a constricting loop.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the severing element comprises a tensioning wire.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the severing element comprises a looped wire.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein heating changes a length or shape of the severing element.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the severing element traverses across an axis of the occlusive element.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted energy comprises electrical current.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted energy comprises radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, or ultrasound energy.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy is transmitted in bipolar or monopolar operation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein energy is transmitted before or during breaking the occlusive element.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the breaking is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising hydrating the filament prior to breaking the occlusive element.

20. A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:

a delivery catheter;

an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter; and

an energy source in communication with the severing device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the severing device comprises a wire constricting loop.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the severing device comprises a tensioning wire.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the severing device comprises a looped wire.

24. The system of claim 21, 22, or 23, wherein the wire comprises superelastic metal or shape memory alloy.

25. The system of claim 21, 22, or 23, wherein at least a proximal portion of the wire is insulated.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the severing device is at least partially integrated into a wall of the delivery catheter.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the severing device is at least partially integrated into a braided structure of the delivery catheter.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy source comprises an electrical conductor, battery, or generator.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy source transmits electrical current so as to heat the severing device.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy source transmits radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, or ultrasound energy so as to heat the severing element.

31. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy source further comprises bipolar or monopolar connections.

32. The system of claim 20, further comprising an occlusive element disposed within the delivery catheter.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.

35. A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:

positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;

advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;

winding a looped severing element; and

breaking the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein winding is performed by rotating a mandrel so that the severing loop winds onto the mandrel.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein winding reduces a diameter of the severing loop.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein breaking is performed using the looped severing element.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the severing element traverses across an axis of the occlusive element.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the breaking is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising hydrating the filament prior to breaking the occlusive element.

46. The method of claim 35, further comprising heating the looped severing element.

47. A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:

a delivery catheter; and

an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter, wherein the severing device comprises a looped wire wound on a mandrel.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the looped wire comprises superelastic metal or shape memory alloy.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the mandrel comprises a wire having a thickness that is larger than that of the looped wire.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the severing device is at least partially disposed within a first lumen of the delivery catheter.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising an occlusive element disposed within a second lumen of the delivery catheter.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.

54. The system of claim 47, further comprising an energy source in communication with the severing device

55. A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:

positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;

advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;

inflating a pair of cuffs having axially offset ridges; and

severing the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the severing is performed by pinching the occlusive element at the selected location between the axially offset ridges.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the inflated cuffs prevent further noodle advancement.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein the severing is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.

61. The method of claim 55, wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising hydrating the filament prior to severing the occlusive element.

64. A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:

a delivery catheter; and

an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter, wherein the severing device comprises a pair of inflatable cuffs having ridges that are axially offset.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the inflatable cuffs comprise elastomeric material.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein the inflatable cuffs are formed integrally with an inner sleeve of the delivery catheter.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein the axially offset ridges form sharpened peaks.

68. The system of claim 64, further comprising an occlusive element disposed within the delivery catheter.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.