Self-expanding, pseudo-braided intravascular device

• US 6,632,241 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2000
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Abbott Vascular Solutions, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Voss, Larry, Brown, Peter S., Hancock, David
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, THOMAS C
• Application Number:
  US09/532,261
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1--, 128/898
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• 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 17/12118 for positioning in conjunction with a stent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/06 Braid or lace serving particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 3/48 Auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 7/00 Tools or apparatus for braiding or lacing by hand
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/06 Vascular grafts; stents

Abstract

A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

Claims

1. A method involving employing a device for use in embolic therapy within vasculature having an aneurysm sac, comprising:

gaining access to vasculature;

placing within an aneurysm sac a device including an elongate filament configured into a pseudo-braided pattern and formed to define a generally tubular body with a first end and a second end; and

configuring the body to facilitate thrombus formation within the aneurysm sac, said first and second ends each being defined by a plurality of endless reversals of direction of said filament.

2. The method of claim 1, the device further comprising at least one more elongate filament interlaced in the pseudo-braided pattern.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of reversals embody loops having a variable radius of curvature.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said pseudo-braided pattern is uniform along a length of said tubular body.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said pseudo-braided pattern is non-uniform along a length of said tubular body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament is undulated between crossing points.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament includes a first end and a second end of said filament, said first and second ends being joined together by epoxy.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament includes a first end and a second end of said filament, said first and second ends being joined in a middle portion of the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament includes a first end and a second end of said filament, said first and second ends being joined at an end of the device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament is made from a tube.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said filament has a variable cross-sectional profile.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of endless reversals of direction function to enhance hoop strength of said device at said first and second ends thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said device can be reduced to less than 10 percent of its expanded diameter.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said device can be delivered into a patient'"'"'s vasculature by a microcatheter.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said device is self-expanding.

16. A method involving employing a device for use in embolic therapy within vasculature having an aneurysm sac, comprising:

gaining access to vasculature;

placing a device including an elongate filament configured into a pseudo-braided pattern and formed to define a generally spherical body within a delivery microcatheter, said generally spherical body formed by a generally tubular body having first and second ends that are collapsed upon themselves, said first and second ends each comprising a plurality of endless reversals of direction of said filament the spherical body shaped to facilitate thrombus formation within the aneurysm sac, the delivery microcatheter releasably connected to said spherical body;

placing the delivery microcatheter within vasculature; and

deploying the device to facilitate thrombus formation within an aneurysm sac.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said spherical body is self-expanding.