Methods and devices for delivering occlusion elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of delivering an occlusion element, comprising the steps of:
- providing an occlusion element which is coupled to a delivery element with a dissolvable material, the dissolvable material being dissolvable with a fluid, the dissolvable material forming a dissolvable connection between the delivery element and the occlusion element;
advancing the occlusion element through a patient'"'"'s vascular system with the occlusion element coupled to the delivery element with at least the dissolvable connection; and
dissolving the dissolvable material thereby releasing the occlusion element from the dissolvable connection with the delivery element.
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Abstract
A device for delivering an occlusion element, or other medical device, which includes a fluid dissolvable bond. The occlusion element is coupled to the delivery element with the fluid dissolvable bond. The bond may be dissolved by delivering a fluid through the delivery element either through the delivery element itself or through a tube positioned in the delivery element.
157 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of delivering an occlusion element, comprising the steps of:
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providing an occlusion element which is coupled to a delivery element with a dissolvable material, the dissolvable material being dissolvable with a fluid, the dissolvable material forming a dissolvable connection between the delivery element and the occlusion element;
advancing the occlusion element through a patient'"'"'s vascular system with the occlusion element coupled to the delivery element with at least the dissolvable connection; and
dissolving the dissolvable material thereby releasing the occlusion element from the dissolvable connection with the delivery element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
the dissolving step is carried out by delivering the fluid to the material to dissolve the dissolvable material.
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3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
the dissolving step is carried out with the fluid being delivered through the delivery element.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
the dissolving step is carried out with a tube positioned in the delivery element, the tube having a lumen, the tube and delivery element defining a space therebetween, the fluid being delivered through one of the lumen and the space and the fluid being withdrawn through the other of the lumen and the space.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the occlusion element forming coils.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the dissolvable material having a cavity.
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7. The method of claim 6, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the cavity being a throughhole.
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8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
positioning a blocking element to impede fluid contact with a least a protected portion of the dissolvable material, the blocking element being movable to a position spaced apart from the protected portion of the dissolvable material.
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9. The method of claim 8, wherein:
the blocking element is positioned in a cavity in the dissolvable material.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the occlusion element having a portion embedded in the dissolvable material.
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11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
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the providing step is carried out with the embedded portion being embedded in the dissolvable material in an expanded position, the embedded portion being naturally biased toward a collapsed position; and
the dissolving step is carried out so that the portion of the occlusion element is no longer embedded in the material thereby permitting the portion to move toward the collapsed position.
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12. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the portion embedded in the material including a plurality of filaments.
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13. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the portion embedded in the dissolvable material being a coil.
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14. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the occlusion element having a plurality of flexible fibers embedded in the dissolvable material.
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15. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the portion embedded in the material including a ball.
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16. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the portion embedded in the material including a cage.
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17. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with a flexible sheath covering at least a portion of the dissolvable material.
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18. The method of claim 17, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the sheath having openings therein.
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19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
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the providing step is carried out with the delivery element having a fluid distributing portion with openings for distributing the fluid;
the dissolving step being carried out to deliver the fluid through the openings in the distributing portion to dissolve the material.
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20. The method of claim 19, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the distributing portion being conical.
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21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
moving the delivery element relative to the occlusion element after the dissolving step to fully release the occlusion element from the delivery element.
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22. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the dissolving step fully releases the occlusion element from the delivery element.
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23. The method of claim 1, wherein:
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the providing step is carried out with the occlusion element having a blocking portion which isolates the material from the patient'"'"'s blood;
the advancing step being carried out so that the blocking portion isolates the material from the patient'"'"'s blood during the advancing step.
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24. The method of claim 23, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the blocking portion being a plug of material.
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25. The method of claim 24, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the plug of material being solder.
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26. The method of claim 23, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the blocking portion being a disc.
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27. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the dissolving step is carried out with the fluid being a fluid selected from the group consisting of water, saline and the patient'"'"'s own blood.
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28. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the material being selected from the group consisting of sugar, salt, manitol or a combination thereof.
Specification