Methods for embolizing a target vascular site
US6299619A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/36
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An embolization device includes a plurality of highly-expansible embolizing elements disposed at spaced intervals along a filamentous carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a suitable length of very thin, highly flexible filament of nickel/titanium alloy. The embolizing elements are separated from each other on the carrier by radiopaque spacers in the form of highly flexible microcoils made of platinum or platinum/tungsten alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the embolizing elements are made of a hydrophilic, macroporous, polymeric, hydrogen foam material. The device is particularly suited for embolizing a vascular site such as an aneurysm. The embolization bodies have an initial configuration in the form of small, substantially cylindrical "micropellets" of small enough outside diameter to fit within a microcatheter. The bodies are hydrophilically expansible into an expanded configuration in which they substantially conform to and fill the vascular site while connected to the carrier. A method for embolizing a vascular site using this device includes the steps of: (a) passing a microcatheter intravascularly so that its distal end is in a vascular site; (b) providing a vas…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.