Embolization device and a method of using the same

• US 9,629,636 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2015
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endologix
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Fogarty
• Inventors: Fogarty, Thomas J., Drews, Michael J., Modesitt, D. Bruce, Holmgren, Neil D., Willis, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Victor
• Application Number:
  US14/657,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20150182228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• 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 17/12163 having a string of elements connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• 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: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/077 having means to fill the space between stent-graft and aneurysm wall, e.g. a sleeve

Abstract

Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for filling a void within the body comprising:

a flexible leader;

a first space-occupying element having a first opening and a first channel and

a second space-occupying element having a second opening and a second channel,

wherein the flexible leader passes through the first and second openings,

wherein the flexible leader is configured to pass through the first and second channels,

wherein the flexible leader couples the first space-occupying element and the second space-occupying element;

wherein the flexible leader has a bend within the first space-occupying element and the second space-occupying element,

wherein the first space-occupying element and the second space-occupying element are configured to move along the flexible leader,

wherein the first and second space-occupying elements are hollow, and

wherein the device is configured to be bioabsorbed by the body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises polymer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the polymer comprises polypropylene.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises collagen.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque agent fixed to or integrated with the device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a coating, wherein the coating covers the device, and wherein the coating comprises a therapeutic agent and/or a diagnostic agent.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a time-release coating.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second openings are separated by a portion of the flexible leader.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the flexible leader is disposed between the first and second openings.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible leader, the first space-occupying element, and the second space-occupying element are each discrete from one another.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible leader is helical.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible leader, the first space-occupying element, and the second space-occupying element comprises a structural reinforcement.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the structural reinforcement comprises a weave, a polyester weave, a coil element, a spiral element, or a wire.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the first space-occupying element is not directly coupled to the second space-occupying element.