Endovascular electrolytically detachable wire and tip for the formation of thrombus in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas

• US RE42,625 E1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Guglielmi, Guido
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/377,893
• Time in Patent Office: 1,980 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41, 606/108, 606/191, 606/49, 606/28, 606/200, 600/569, 600/585, 623/1.1, 604/104, 607/122
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12113 within an aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12145 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1215 comprising additional materials, e.g. thrombogenic, having filaments, having fibers, being coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12054 Details concerning the detachment of the occluding device from the introduction device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12095 Threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1266 with DC current output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0042 Microcatheters, cannula or the like having outside diameters around 1 mm or less
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

An artery, vein, aneurysm, vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occlusion if formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire. Electrothrombois is facilitate by placing the ground electrode on the distal end of the microcatheter and flowing current between the microcatheter electrode and the tip.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in combination with a microcatheter to form an occlusion within a cavity, said wire comprising:

a core wire; and

a detachable elongate tip portion coupled to a distal portion of said core wire, said tip portion extending said core wire for a predetermined lineal extent and being adapted to be positioned, in use, in a cavity to form an occlusion in said cavity, so that occlusion of said cavity can be performed;

said elongate tip portion being detachable from said core wire without necessarily displacing said distal tip portion or said wire during detachment or applying any force by said distal tip portion to any surface within said cavity, said detachable elongate tip portion having a plurality of filaments or fine hairs extending therefrom.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filaments or fine hairs are arranged to substantially pack, fill or at least impede fluid flow or access in said cavity when said tip portion is disposed therein.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said core wire and said detachable elongate tip portion are coupled by polyester.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate tip portion is detachable from said core wire by a mechanical coupling.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said elongate tip portion is releasably connected to said core wire by a spring-loaded mechanical clasp.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate tip portion is detachable from said core wire by electrolytic disintegration of part of said wire.