Abstract: Novel methods for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating aneurysms are provided. The presently disclosed methods provide for the embolization of aneurysms wherein occlusion of the neck of the aneurysm during embolization by a flow arresting device such as balloon is not required. In one embodiment, the compositions employed in the methods of this invention comprise a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent and a biocompatible contrast agent wherein the viscosity of this composition is at least about 1000 centistokes at 40° C. and, preferably, at least about 2500 centistokes at 40° C.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2003
Date of Patent:
May 20, 2008
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas J. Whalen, II, Earl Slee, Amanda Conner
Abstract: A medical implant, having a proximal and a distal end, that is preformed to assume a superimposed structure at an implantation site but can be made to take on a volume-reduced form making it possible to introduce it with a micro-catheter and a guide wire arranged at the proximal end, with the implant in its superimposed structure assuming the form of a longitudinally open tube and having a mesh structure of interconnected strings or filaments. The implant has a tapering structure at its proximal end where the strings or filaments converge at a connection point.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 19, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2007
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Hans Henkes, Achim Flesser, Ronald Kontek, Jürgen Speder, Ralph Bodenburg
Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for treating aneurysms wherein the aneurysmal sac is filled with a non-particulate agent or plurality of such agents and/or with a fluid composition which solidifies in situ. Filling of the aneurysmal sac employs sufficient amount of the non-particulate agent or plurality of such agents and/or the fluid composition to inhibit blood flow into the aneurysm sac. In addition, the methods of this invention also provide for non-endogenous isolation of the parent artery proximal and distal to the aneurysmal sac from systemic blood flow of the treated mammal. The combination of these features provides for treatment of the aneurysmal sac while, at the same time, inhibiting aneurysm formation and/or regrowth in the diseased portions of the arterial wall proximal and distal to the treated aneurysm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2003
Date of Patent:
August 1, 2006
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas J. Whalen, II, Richard J. Greff, Kevin P. Gilmartin, Douglas Ray Hayman, Todd J. Hewitt, Ed L. Olson, Mark A. Pecor, Earl H. Slee, George Wallace
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.
Abstract: A threaded syringe provides a mechanism by which a clinician can deliver a viscous fluid through a relatively small lumen and can obtain tactile or audible feedback of delivery. The threaded syringe allows for delivery of more viscous fluids with less force and/or allows for more controlled delivery. The syringe includes a syringe barrel and a sliding member positioned on the proximal end of the syringe barrel. The sliding member has a first threaded hole and a second hole. The sliding member is slidable on the syringe barrel between a first position at which the first threaded hole is aligned with the syringe barrel for precise delivery of a material from the syringe and a second position at which the second hole is aligned with the syringe barrel for filling of the syringe or to stop bleed out.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 16, 2002
Date of Patent:
March 28, 2006
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Brian M. Strauss, Brock H. Smith, Brian Canfield, Amanda Conner, Douglas R. Hayman, Ed Olsen
Abstract: An expandable stent has a sheeted material which is expanded from a compacted configuration to an expanded configuration. The sheet is maintained in the compacted configuration at least in part by operation of a dynamic force, and the expansion occurs at least in part by removal of the dynamic force. In preferred embodiments, a biocompatible sheeted material is wrapped around a split reed grasper to produce a compacted configuration, and the split reed grasper is rotated to maintain the compacted configuration during insertion of the stent into a patient. The rotation is continued while the stent is positioned, and then the rotation is stopped or slowed to permit expansion of the sheet.
Abstract: A catheter according to the present invention includes a multiple lumen catheter for delivery of a liquid embolic composition through a first lumen and delivery of a solidification agent through a second lumen. The catheter allows adjustment of the relative longitudinal position of the two lumens to control the solidification of the embolic composition within a blood vessel. The multiple lumen catheter system is used by inserting the catheter endovascularly into an aneurysm site and injecting a liquid embolic composition through the first lumen while injecting a solidification agent through the second lumen to wash the area of the aneurysm of blood which has become saturated with solvent, while replacing it with a fresh solidification agent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 11, 2003
Date of Patent:
November 15, 2005
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew H. Cragg, Richard J. Greff, Robert Pecor, John Perl, Blair Walker, George Wallace
Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating vascular lesions via catheter deliver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2001
Date of Patent:
November 8, 2005
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas J. Whalen, Chinh N. Tran, Noah M. Roth, Richard J. Greff
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.
Abstract: A stent fabricated from a rolled sheet. The sheet is perforated with wave form perforations to provide flexibility during insertion and in the body.
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.
Abstract: Disclosed are compositions suitable for use in embolizing blood vessels which compositions comprise a polymer, a biocompatible solvent and a contrast agent. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylonitrile, polyurethane, polyvinylacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrocellulose and copolymers of urethane/carbonate and copolymers of styrene/maleic acid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 24, 2003
Date of Patent:
February 22, 2005
Assignee:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Scott Evans, Richard J. Greff, James I. Wright
Abstract: Disclosed are novel techniques for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating vascular lesions via catheter delivery of an embolic composition.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 20, 2003
Publication date:
May 6, 2004
Applicant:
Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas J. Whalen, Chinh Ngoc Tran, Douglas Ray Hayman, Noah Michael Roth, Jacques Moret, Richard J. Greff
Abstract: Disclosed are novel syringes and catheters for delivering compositions which form solid masses in vivo. These syringes and catheters are particularly useful for delivering embolizing compositions intravascularly.