Methods for embolizing blood vessels

• US 6,281,263 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Perl II, Richard Greff, Scott Evans
• Original Assignee: John Perl II, Richard Greff, Scott Evans
• Inventors: Greff, Richard, Evans, Scott, Perl, John II
• Primary Examiner(s): SZEKELY, PETER A
• Application Number:
  US09/438,929
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 424/422, 424/649, 523/105, 523/113, 523/222, 524/173, 524/440
• US Class Current: 523/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/418 Agents promoting blood coagulation, blood-clotting agents, embolising agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/44 Radioisotopes, radionuclides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/001 Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/0015 Medicaments; Biocides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/02 containing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/04 containing macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/36 for embolization or occlusion, e.g. vaso-occlusive compositions or devices artificial blood vessels A61L27/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/02 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 13/02 of urine or of the urinary tract, e.g. urine acidifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/00 Drugs for genital or sexual disorders for disorders of sex hormones A61P5/24; Contraceptives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/14 Vasoprotectives; Antihaemorrhoidals; Drugs for varicose therapy; Capillary stabilisers

Abstract

Disclosed are methods useful for treating vascular lesions wherein a non-particulate agent such as a metal coil is introduced into a vascular site (e.g., an aneurysm cavity) in conjunction with an embolizing composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent.

The biocompatible solvent is miscible or soluble in blood and also solubilizes the polymer during delivery. The biocompatible polymer is selected to be soluble in the biocompatible solvent but insoluble in blood. Upon contact with the blood, the biocompatible solvent dissipates from the embolic composition whereupon the biocompatible polymer precipitates. Precipitation of the polymer in the presence of the non-particulate agent permits the agent to act as a structural lattice for the growing polymer precipitate.

In another embodiment, the biocompatible polymer composition can be replaced with a biocompatible prepolymer composition containing a biocompatible prepolymer.

Claims

1. A kit of parts comprising:

(a) a prepolymer composition comprising a liquid biocompatible prepolymer and a contrast agent; and

(b) a non-particulate agent or plurality of such agents.

2. The kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein said kit further comprises a biocompatible solvent.

3. The kit of parts according to claim 2 wherein said biocompatible solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, and acetone.

4. The kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein said non-particulate agents are selected from the group consisting of metallic coils, coils with barbs, silk streamers, plastic brushes, detachable balloons, foam and nylon mesh.

5. The kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a sufficient amount of said prepolymer such that, upon discharge into a vascular site, the prepolymer polymerizes in situ upon contact with the blood, and a solid mass precipitates in the presence of the non-particulate agent to embolize said vascular site.