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

• US 5,976,126 A
• Filed: 10/06/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• 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:
  US08/944,584
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 600/32, 600/41, 600/49, 600/28, 600/529, 600/585, 604/104, 607/122, 623/1, 623/12, 606/108, 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 17/12113 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 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• 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 2017/12063 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 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• 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 2090/3966 : Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• 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. Electrothrombosis 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 forming an occlusion within a body cavity defining tissue comprising:

a wire adapted to be disposed near an opening into said body cavity;

a distal tip coupled to said wire, adapted to be disposed into said body cavity to form said occlusion, and nonthermally detachable without necessarily displacing said distal tip relative to said wire during detachment,

whereby said body cavity is occluded by said distal tip, and an occlusion is formed by use of said tip without necessarily altering desired placement of said distal tip during detachment or applying any force by said distal tip to said tissue.

2. An apparatus for forming an occlusion within a body lumen comprising:

a wire adapted to be endovascularly disposed near an opening into said body lumen;

a separable distal tip of said wire adapted for disposition into said body lumen to form said occlusion within said body lumen about said distal tip; and

a selectively detachable coupling between said distal tip and said wire characterized by detachment of said distal tip from said wire without necessarily applying either a translational or rotational force to either said distal tip or to said wire during detachment to leave said distal tip within said body lumen with said occlusion being formed within said body lumen,

whereby said body lumen is occluded by said distal tip, and an occlusion is formed by use of said tip without necessarily altering desired placement of said distal tip during detachment or applying any force by said distal tip to any surface within said body lumen by reason of said detachment.

3. An apparatus for use in a microcatheter for forming an occlusion within an intracranial aneurysm comprising:

a wire adapted to be endovascularly disposed through said microcatheter near an opening into said intracranial aneurysm;

a separable distal tip of said wire for disposition into said intracranial aneurysm to form said occlusion within said intracranial aneurysm about said distal tip; and

a selectively detachable coupling between said distal tip and said wire characterized by detachment of said distal tip from said wire without necessarily displacing either said distal tip or said wire during detachment to leave said distal tip within said intracranial aneurysm with said occlusion being formed within said intracranial aneurysm, said selectively detachable coupling being freely movable with said microcatheter for endovascular disposition of said microcatheter at said opening of said intracranial aneurysm and said selectively detachable coupling being freely movable within said microcatheter to dispose said distal tip into said intracranial aneurysm,

whereby said intracranial aneurysm is occluded by said distal tip, and an occlusion is formed by use of said tip without necessarily altering desired placement of said distal tip during detachment or applying any force by said distal tip to any surface within said intracranial aneurysm by reason of said detachment.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 where said distal tip is arranged and configured to form said occlusion in said intracranial aneurysm by electrothrombosis.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 where said distal tip is arranged and configured to form said occlusion in said intracranial aneurysm by mechanical thrombosis.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 where said distal tip is arranged and configured to form said occlusion in said intracranial aneurysm by impeding blood flow therein.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 where said selectively detachable coupling between said distal tip and said wire detaches said distal tip from said wire by electrolytic disintegration of a portion of said coupling connecting said distal tip and said wire.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 where said selectively detachable coupling between said distal tip and said wire detaches said distal tip from said wire by mechanical disengagement of said distal tip from said wire.

9. An apparatus for use in occluding a body cavity comprising:

a wire; and

a selectively detachable deformable object coupled to said wire and disposable in said body cavity, said deformable object having a shape and resiliency such said body cavity is not materially deformed by disposition of said deformable object therein, said deformable object impeding movement of fluid in said body cavity to thereby form an occlusion therein, said deformable object being detached from said wire without necessitating movement of said wire relative to said deformable object.