Methods of treating a condition of a vessel in a patient

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating veins and venous conditions, such as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, are provided. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides an intraluminal scaffold having a generally tubular body with a lumen defined therethrough, the tubular body having a compressed condition for delivery and an expanded condition for implant within a vessel having a distended portion, at least a length of the tubular body configured to form an enlarged portion in the expanded condition to engage a wall of the distended portion of the vessel. Methods for fabricating and using the scaffold, methods for remodeling a vein, and methods of deploying a medical device in a vessel without negatively impacting the function of a valve of the vessel, are also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 324,031, filed Apr. 14, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This disclosed subject matter generally relates to devices and methods for treating veins and conditions related to veins. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to devices and methods that are useful for treating venous anatomies to improve venous sufficiency.[0004]2. Description of Background[0005]Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease in which the myelin surrounding the nerves is damaged, resulting in inhibition of nerve communication and impairment of physical and cognitive abilities. There is currently no cure for MS, but management of the disease has been advanced through the use of medical treatments, diet, and other non-surgical means. These treatments reflect the lack of a known cause of MS. MS suf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031]In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, an intraluminal scaffold is provided. The scaffold includes a first annular element radially expandable with respect to a longitudinal axis defined therethrough, a second annular element radially expandable with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least one axial strut connecting the first annular element and the second annular element. The at least one axial strut has sufficient flexibility to conform to a wall of a distended portion of a vessel.

[0032]In some embodiments of the above scaffold, the at least one axial strut has sufficient flexibility to conform to the distended portion of the vessel without plastic deformation. In other embodiments, at least one of the first annular element and the second annular element is plastically deformed when radially expanded. In other embodiments, the at least one axial strut is self-expandable, and at least one of the first annular element and the second annular element is balloon-expandable. In other embodiments, the at least one axial strut and at least one of the first and second annular elements are each self-expandable. In certain embodiments, the at least one axial strut is made of a material in its austenitic phase and at least one of the first annular element and second annular element is made of a material in its martensitic phase. The at least one axial strut can be made of a polymer material. In other embodiments, the at least one axial strut is made of a linear elastic material.

Problems solved by technology

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease in which the myelin surrounding the nerves is damaged, resulting in inhibition of nerve communication and impairment of physical and cognitive abilities.

These abnormalities cause blood “refluxing”, or retrograde flow, which creates reflux in the central nervous system.

Poor venous drainage and the resulting deposition of iron may be a primary or secondary cause of other diseases as well.

First, the cost of manufacturing a non-cylindrical stent is substantially higher using traditional processes, and second, there has not been a strong demand for non-cylindrical stents since most diseased vessels are essentially cylindrical, and any anatomical deviations can be compensated for through balloon deployment and touch-up.

However, there are no stents available on the market that are sized or designed for treating the vessel conditions relevant to CCSVI and the use of cylindrical stents to do so may not be fruitful.

First, such stents have a tendency to dislodge from the vein because the veins have low radial force and are relatively large compared to typical stent diameters.

When this happens, the stent may flow downstream and cause risk to the patient if it enters the heart, another organ, or otherwise disrupts blood flow, for example.

Second, a stent with a cylindrical profile may not conform fully to a bulbous vein, and there may therefore be poor scaffolding and opportunity for thrombus formation in the gaps between the vein wall and the stent.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, even basic access to a jugular can be difficult to accomplish without damaging the venous valves.

Therefore, as the guidewire is passed into the vein, it may tend to catch the valve leaflets and press against them in a resistive manner.

Due to the relative weakness of the leaflets, they may tear or be otherwise damages.

If the leaflets tear, they may be unable to resist backflow and therefore their function will be destroyed.

This same problem can occur when other devices, such as balloon catheters or other catheter devices, are passed in the same direction as the guidewire.

Images