Intracorporeal occlusive device and method

Abstract

An intracorporeal space filling device and a delivery system and method for using the device is disclosed. The space filling device is preferably configured for percutaneous delivery from a peripheral conduit of a patient. The space filling device has an elongated tubular or interconnected bead structure which may have a transmutable material disposed within it. The transmutable material can be altered from a non-rigid state to a rigid state by the application of various types of energy or by other suitable means. The space filling device can be positioned by a delivery system and detached from the delivery system after desired positioning is achieved.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11 / 169,322, filed Jun. 28, 2005, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11 / 033,463, filed Jan. 11, 2005, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 106,511, filed Mar. 25, 2002 which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09 / 324,987, filed Jun. 2, 1999. The disclosures of these prior applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by this reference.BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention is generally directed to occlusion devices and, more specifically, to intracorporeal occlusion devices which can be used to treat a patent's blood vessels, intracorporeal conduits or other portions of a patient's body. A preferred embodiment can be used to treat intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, and other abnormalities within the cerebral vasculature. [0003] Cerebral aneurysms and other cerebral vascular abnormalities present a significant medical problem to the population of the Unit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The device provides a stable, non-compressible mass that effectively occludes the aneurysm, reducing the risk of dislodgment and regrowth, and can be used in wide-neck aneurysms, enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.

Problems solved by technology

Cerebral aneurysms and other cerebral vascular abnormalities present a significant medical problem to the population of the United States.

It is estimated that the number of ruptured intracranial aneurysms yearly is in the tens of thousands, often with devastating consequences for the patient.

Because of the invasive nature of the procedure and the vulnerability of the brain tissue surrounding the aneurysm, this procedure carries a high degree of risk with concomitant mortality and morbidity rates.

This risk is particularly high when the aneurysm has ruptured prior to the surgical intervention.

However, the coils are hollow bodies, often made of relatively soft metals which are subject to compaction due to the pressure exerted on the deployed coils by the patient's blood flow.

Compaction and reforming of the coils leaves them susceptible to dislodging and being displaced within the patient's vasculature, with the potential for causing distal embolization.

In addition, compaction of the coils into the dome of the aneurysm or blood clot surrounding the coils can lead to reappearance and regrowth of the aneurysm.

Finally, aneurysms with wide necks having a dome to neck dimension ratio of less than 2 to 1 often do not provide a morphology conducive to retention of coils within the aneurysm.

When the space filling device is deployed in an intracorporeal cavity and assumes a folded, bunched or convoluted configuration due to a secondary shape of the elongated longitudinal member or the natural confinement of the cavity, inevitably, certain portions of the space filling device will make physical contact with other portions of the device.

The cross-linking or bonding of the device at attachment points results in a rigid mass which is resistive to compression and reforming.

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