Methods and devices for occlusion of blood vessels and/or other tubular structures

Abstract

A system for occluding a hollow structure, the system comprising: a plurality of occluders; and an applicator for storing the plurality of occluders and serially delivering the occluders so as to occlude the hollow structure.

Description

[0001] Citations to Pending Prior Patent Applications [0002] This patent application: [0003] (i) was previously filed on May 7, 14 by Amsel Medical Corporation and Arnold Miller et al. Continuation-in-Part of "Method and Apparatus for Closing Openings in Structures and / or for Fastening At Least Two Objects Together" (Attorney Docket No. AM-15), the patent application; [0004] (1) U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 857,424 "Methods and Apparatus for Obstructing Blood Vessels" (Attorney Docket No. AM-9) which is a continuation-in-part of the patent application: [0005] (a) was previously filed by Arnold Miller et al., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 348,416, "Method and Apparatus for Treating Varicose Veins," Attorney Docket No. AM-0708 ) which claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 431,609 "Method and Apparatus for Treating Varicose Veins" earlier filed on January 11, 2011 by Arnold Miller (Attorney Files No. AM-7PROV); and [0006] (b) claim...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0033] Disadvantages of sclerotherapy include: (i) in the presence of high venous pressure (ie, with leaky valves and large varicose veins), outcome is inconclusive and recurrence rates are high; and (ii) Misinjection of sclerosant into surrounding tissue can lead to damage of surrounding tissue, creating areas of depigmented skin and even ulceration

[0040] Disadvantages of intravenous laser / radiofrequency (RF) therapy include: (i) typically only one leg is done at a time; (ii) the procedure often requires a very large volume of local anesthetic to be injected into the patient to prevent damage to the vein lining necessary thermal complications; (iii) burns may occur in the upper skin if too much heat is applied to the tissue, with possible deformities, including scarring; (iv) before subsequent phlebotomy procedures are performed, An interval of up to 8 weeks is required to assess the efficiency of the venoablation procedure; and (v) varicose status that remains after this interval procedure still requires a separate procedure (ie, phlebectomy or sclerotherapy)

[0047] Disadvantages of open surgery include: (i) it is an open surgical procedure requiring anesthesia (systemic or regional), with its associated discomfort and its attendant risks (which may depend on the patient's fitness or age); and (ii) recovery typically takes 3-5 days

[0048] It should thus be seen that varicose veins present a huge problem for many patients that must be addressed, and that all current surgical procedures for the treatment of varicose veins suffer from a number of significant disadvantages

Images