Devices and methods for treating vascular malformations

Abstract

The invention is also directed to a device for treating an aneurysm which has a cover covering the neck of the aneurysm and a lateral portion extending into the aneurysm. The invention is also directed to a cover which is used to cover the neck of the aneurysm thereby isolating the aneurysm from the parental vessel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 324,359 filed Jun. 2, 1999 which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to treatment of abnormalities in a patient's to vascular system. A specific use of the present invention described below is for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms although the various aspects of the invention described below may also be useful in treating other abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM), hypervascular tumors, cavernous carotid fistulas, fibroid tumors, and non-reversible sterilization via fallopial occlusion.[0003]Cerebral aneurysms are enlargements of the cerebral vasculature which protrude like a balloon from the wall of a cerebral artery. The cerebral aneurysm has a neck which leads to the parental vessel and a body or “dome” which can vary in diameter from 1-30 mm.[0004...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Various optional steps and structure may also be provided. For example, a sealant may be delivered into the aneurysm to ensure that the aneurysm is isolated from the parental artery. An advantage of the present invention is that the sealant is held within a matrix formed by the expandable device which holds the sealant in the aneurysm.

[0015]The proximal portion of the expandable structure may be insulated to protect the neck of the aneurysm. The insulation may coat only the flexible filaments so that the structure is still permeable to fluid. Alternatively, the insulation may be impermeable to protect the neck from hot fluid slowly expelled into the aneurysm or to isolate the aneurysm entirely from the parental vessel.

[0016]The expandable device may have one or more expandable sections. In an embodiment, the expandable device has two expandable sections wherein energy is delivered to the dome with one of the sections while the second section is insulated to protect the neck.

[0017]The expandable device may have a locking mechanism for locking the expandable device in the expanded position. The expandable device is naturally biased toward the collapsed position so that the operator may partially deploy the expandable device to determine whether the device has the appropriate size. If the device does not have the appropriate size, the device is collapsed and removed and another device having the appropriate size is introduced. The locking mechanism is then actuated when the user is satisfied with the size of the device.

[0018]In still another aspect of the present invention, a catheter has a cover which is positioned over the neck of the aneurysm to isolate the aneurysm from the parental vessel. The aneurysm is then reduced in size as explained above while the cover isolates the aneurysm. The cover also protects the patient from hemorrhage by isolating the aneurysm from the parental vessel. The cover may be periodically moved to expel heated fluid into the parental vessel when heating and shrinking the aneurysm.

[0019]In yet another aspect of the present invention, a coil is used to cover the neck of the aneurysm to regulate the flow of hot fluid out of the aneurysm and into the parental vessel. The pitch of the coil can be varied by the operator during deployment to allow faster or slower leakage of hot fluid out of the aneurysm and into the parent artery during heating.

Problems solved by technology

The wall of the aneurysm is often weak and can rupture, leading to hemorrhage.

Rupture of the aneurysm can kill the patient or leave the patient with permanent or transitory mental and physical deficits.

A problem with the conventional method of using coils to fill aneurysms is that the aneurysm becomes a relatively solid mass due to coils and thrombus contained therein.

The mass of coil and thrombus exerts pressure on adjacent areas of the brain which may lead to other problems.

Another problem with the conventional method is that the coils must be delivered one at a time into the aneurysm which increases the procedure time and risk to the patient.

Images