Assembly containing an electrolytically severable joint for endovascular embolic devices

• US 6,589,236 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Erik T. Engelson, Harold F. Carrison, Wheelock E. Thomas
• Inventors: Engelson, Erik T., Carrison, Harold F., Wheelock, E. Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US10/086,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32-108, 606/191
• US Class Current: 606/32
• 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 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable

Abstract

This invention is an apparatus for the formation of occlusions in spaces in the human body, occluding such as thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, it deals with a one piece assembly having an improved electrolytically erodable link to an occlusive member and further having an incorporated return electrode in the assembly. The occlusion-forming member is introduced to and is intended to remain at the desired occlusion site. The invention also relates to the joint itself. The invention further includes a method for introduction and electrolytic separation of the device.

Claims

1. A process for forming an occlusion in a body cavity, comprising:

advancing an implant to a body cavity, said implant being detachably connected to a composite core wire via an electrolytically erodable junction, said composite core wire comprising a first conductive member selectively movable with respect to the composite core wire, said implant comprising a second conductive member separated from said first conductive member, said junction being electrically insulated from said first conductive member and said second conductive member, said implant forming a return path for current provided to said first conductive member through ionic body fluids;

advancing said first conductive member into a separable electrical contact with said second conductive member when said implant is at a desired location; and

electrolytically eroding said junction to separate said second conductive member from said first conductive member and release said implant from said composite core wire.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said implant comprises a coil.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein said implant comprises a platinum alloy coil.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said first conductive member protrudes distally from a distal end of said insulating member during the first advancing step.

5. The process of claim 1, comprising electrolytically eroding said junction by imposing a current to said junction via said composite core wire.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said composite core wire further comprises a third conductive member electrically insulated from the first conductive member and in electrical contact with said junction.

7. The process of claim 6, comprising electrolytically eroding said junction by applying a potential difference between said first conductive member and said third conductive member.