Filamentous embolic device with expansible elements
First Claim
1. A device for embolizing a vascular site, comprising:
- an elongate, filamentous carrier formed of a flexible material having an elastic memory and initially configured with a portion forming a looped structure whereby the carrier assumes a three-dimensional shape; and
a plurality of expansible embolizing elements non-releaseably carried on the carrier at spaced intervals along the length of the carrier within the portion forming the looped structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An embolization device includes a plurality of highly-expansible embolizing elements disposed at spaced intervals along a filamentous carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a suitable length of very thin, highly flexible filament of nickel/titanium alloy. The embolizing elements are separated from each other on the carrier by radiopaque spacers in the form of highly flexible microcoils made of platinum or platinum/tungsten alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the embolizing elements are made of a hydrophilic, macroporous, polymeric, hydrogel foam material. The device is particularly suited for embolizing a vascular site such as an aneurysm. The embolization bodies have an initial configuration in the form of small, substantially cylindrical “micropellets” of small enough outside diameter to fit within a microcatheter. The bodies are hydrophilically expansible into an expanded configuration in which they substantially conform to and fill the vascular site while connected to the carrier. A method for embolizing a vascular site using this device includes the steps of: (a) passing a microcatheter intravascularly so that its distal end is in a vascular site; (b) providing a vascular embolization device comprising a plurality of highly expansible embolizing elements carried on a filamentous carrier and separated from each other on the carrier by microcoil spacers; (c) passing the embolization device through the microcatheter so that it emerges from the distal end of the microcatheter into the vascular site; and (d) expanding the embolizing elements in situ substantially to fill the vascular site.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A device for embolizing a vascular site, comprising:
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an elongate, filamentous carrier formed of a flexible material having an elastic memory and initially configured with a portion forming a looped structure whereby the carrier assumes a three-dimensional shape; and
a plurality of expansible embolizing elements non-releaseably carried on the carrier at spaced intervals along the length of the carrier within the portion forming the looped structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for embolizing a vascular site, comprising the steps of:
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(a) passing a microcatheter intravascularly so that its distal end is in a vascular site;
(b) providing a vascular embolization device comprising a plurality of highly expansile embolizing elements carried on a flexible filamentous carrier initially configured with a portion forming a looped structure whereby the carrier assumes a three-dimensional shape, the embolizing elements being located at spaced intervals along the length of the carrier within the portion forming the looped structure;
(c) passing the embolization device through the microcatheter so that it emerges from the distal end of the microcatheter into the vascular site; and
(d) expanding the embolizing elements in situ substantially to fill the vascular site with the embolizing elements and the carrier, while retaining the embolizing elements on the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
(b)(1) determining at least the approximate volume of the vascular site; and
(b)(2) selecting a vascular embolization device sized substantially to fill the entire volume of the vascular site after the expanding step.
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13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining at least the approximate volume of the vascular site includes the step of visualizing the vascular site prior to or during the step of passing the microcatheter intravascularly.
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14. The method of claim 11, wherein the expanding step includes the step of passing saline solution through the microcatheter and into the vascular site.
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15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of passing the embolization device through the microcatheter includes the step of injecting a biocompatible, substantially non-aqueous fluid through the microcatheter to prevent the hydration of the expansible embolizing elements within the microcatheter.
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16. The method of claim 15, wherein the substantially non-aqueous fluid is polyethylene glycol.
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17. A device for embolizing a vascular site, comprising:
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an elongate, filamentous carrier formed of a flexible material having an elastic memory and initially configured in a multi-loop configuration; and
a plurality of expansible embolizing elements located at spaced intervals along the length of the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification