Methods for inhibiting the formation of potential endoleaks associated with endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

• US 6,303,100 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Micro Therapeutics, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cragg, Andrew H., Greff, Richard J., Ricci, Charlie, Dolmatch, Bart
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, DAMERON LEVEST
• Application Number:
  US09/273,100
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 424/1.11, 424/1.29, 424/1.65, 424/1.73, 424/9.1, 424/422
• US Class Current: 424/1.29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/12118 for positioning in conjunction with a stent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12186 liquid materials adapted to be injected
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for inhibiting the formation of potential endoleaks associated with endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms which comprise the in situ embolization of blood vessels associated with the aneurysmal sac prior to placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Embolization of the blood vessels is achieved by injection of either a biocompatible polymer or prepolymer fluid composition into these vessels in a sufficient amount such that upon in situ solidification of this composition, blood circulation through these blood vessels and the aneurysmal sac ceases.

Claims

1. A method for in situ embolization of blood vessels associated with an aneurysmal sac which method comprises:

(a) identifying an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient;

(b) embolizing the lumbar and/or mesenteric arteries associated with the aneurysmal sac wherein said embolization comprises delivering through a microcatheter a sufficient amount of a biocompatible fluid composition to said arteries under conditions where the fluidic composition solidifies thereby embolizing said arteries; and

(c) subsequently endovascularly repairing said aneurysm by catheter delivery of an endovascular prosthesis to the site of said aneurysm thereby inhibiting blood flow into the aneurysm.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid composition comprises a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent and a contrast agent.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate polymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, and polyacrylates.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said biocompatible polymer is a cellulose acetate polymer or an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein said biocompatible solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, ethyl lactate, and acetone.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said biocompatible solvent is dimethylsulfoxide.

7. The method according to claim 2 wherein said contrast agent is a water insoluble contrast agent.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, tungsten, and barium sulfate.

9. The method according to claim 7 wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is characterized by having an average particle size of about 10 μ

m or less.

10. The method according to claim 2 wherein said contrast agent is a water soluble contrast agent.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said water soluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of metrizamide, iopamidol, iothalamate sodium, iodomide sodium, and meglumine.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a biocompatible prepolymer.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said biocompatible prepolymer composition further comprises a contrast agent.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said contrast agent is a water insoluble contrast agent.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, tungsten, and barium sulfate.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is characterized by having an average particle size of about 10 μ

m or less.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein said contrast agent is a water soluble contrast agent.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said water soluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of metrizamide, iopamidol, iothalamate sodium, iodomide sodium, and meglumine.

19. The method according to claim 13 wherein the biocompatible prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of cyanoacrylates, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and silicone prepolymers.