Abstract: A medical device formed of a coil with repeating loops, each loop forming a polygon and each successive loop being slightly rotated with respect to its adjacent loops to form a spiral configuration. The polygon in a preferred embodiment is a triangle, and the repeating triangular loop coil can be used as a guidewire in a stent delivering catheter. The guidewire can further include a stiff core wire that is disposed within the triangular loop coil, where the stiff core wire includes tapered sections that reduce the stiffness in the distal direction. The coil can include multiple sections of different loop shapes, including circular, to alter the stiffness of the guidewire to meet the needs of the application.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system and method for detaching a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. The system includes a bead disposed against a distal end of the therapeutic device that retains the therapeutic device to the delivery tube in a first compressed configuration through a coupling union comprising a series of connectors. The series of connectors may include a stretch resistant member through which the bead is attached to an anchor inside the therapeutic device. The anchor, in turn, may be disposed against a thermally responsive element comprised of a polymeric material configured to melt or otherwise change configuration to release the anchor, and with it, to also release the therapeutic device. Energy may be supplied to the thermally responsive element through electrical conductors and a resistive heating element disposed within the delivery tube.

Abstract: An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible polymer tube having a tubular wall with an inner surface defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the tubular wall has a score line, and a resistive heating element is located near the score line and in immediate contact with a surface of a distal portion of the tubular wall, to provide direct heating of the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube adjacent to the score line. A therapeutic embolic coil includes a headpiece that is releasably attached within the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube, and that is releasable by heating of the distal portion of the tubular shaft to cause the distal portion of the tubular wall to split along the score line.

Abstract: An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible shape memory polymer tube having an inner wall surface defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube has an enlarged and reduced diameter configurations. An embolic coil is releasably mounted to the shape memory polymer tube by a headpiece releasably attached within a distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube. A resistive heating element disposed longitudinally along and in immediate contact with the inner wall surface of the distal tubular wall of the shape memory polymer tube provides direct, even heating to release the headpiece and embolic coil attached thereto when the resistive heating element is energized.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system, method, and apparatus for delivering a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. A heating element is disposed in the delivery tube that can be actuated remotely, and a layer of low temperature adhesive is applied at the heating element to retain the therapeutic device. The kicker in the form of, for example, a compressed spring is mounted within the delivery tube so as to be in contact with the therapeutic device for applying a constant ejector force that is countered by the adhesive force of the low temperature adhesive. When the heating element is actuated, the spring's ejector force overcomes the softened adhesive's adhesive force to force the therapeutic device out of the delivery tube.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system and method for detaching a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. The system includes a bead disposed against a distal end of the therapeutic device that retains the therapeutic device to the delivery tube in a first compressed configuration through a series of connectors. The series of connectors include a stretch resistant member through which the bead is attached to an anchor inside the therapeutic device. The anchor, in turn, is disposed against a thermally responsive element comprised of a polymeric material configured to melt or otherwise change configuration to release the anchor, and with it, to also release the bead and therapeutic device. Energy may be supplied to the thermally responsive element through electrical conductors and a resistive heating element disposed within the delivery tube.

Abstract: A noncircular inner lumen guiding catheter with assisted variable support has an inner wall defining a noncircular cross-sectional shaped lumen for use in delivery of multiple microcatheters or other devices for treatment of neurovascular defects, such as for treatment of aneurysms. The noncircular inner lumen guiding catheter with assisted variable support includes torque transmittal guidance walls that are flexible linearly but not circumferentially, and that are neither collapsible nor kinkable. The noncircular shaped cross-section of the inner lumen may extend along the entire length of the catheter or a portion thereof, including distal or proximal.

Abstract: A guide catheter includes a tubular section formed of a shape memory polymer that can transform dynamically between first and second states or conditions, or among three states or conditions, to provide a wide range of properties of the guide catheter as desired during delivery of the guide catheter through the vasculature to a target site, and removal of the guide catheter from the target site and vasculature. The states or conditions of the shape memory polymer be dynamically changed to vary properties of the tubular section such as stiffness, flexibility, shape, or biodegradability, which can be controlled by exposure of the shape memory polymer to temperature changes, electric fields, magnetic fields, wavelengths of light, and chemical solutions.

Abstract: A low profile guiding catheter has a non-round shape for use in delivery of multiple microcatheters for treatment of neurovascular defects, such as for treatment of aneurysms. The low profile guiding catheter includes torque transmittal guidance walls that are flexible linearly but not circumferentially, and that are neither collapsible nor kinkable.