Abstract: The three dimensional device is adapted to be inserted into a portion of a vasculature for occluding the portion of the vasculature for use in interventional therapy and vascular surgery. The device is formed from a multi-stranded microcable having a plurality of flexible strands of a shape memory material and at least one radiopaque strand. The flexible strands in a multi-stranded micro-cable of the device can be helically wound, or can be configured as parallel, longitudinal strands, and can also be formed to have a secondary, three dimensional therapeutic configuration, such as helical, conical, spherical, or other geometric shapes. The strands can be made of a shape memory nickel titanium alloy, that is highly flexible at a temperature appropriate for introduction into the body via a catheter, and that after placement will take on the therapeutic shape.

Abstract: An introducer for retaining an implant placed within an implant delivery device having a pusher for displacing the implant includes a tube and a clamp. The interior of the tube defines a passage for guiding the movement of the pusher. The clamp is made of a shape memory material disposed in the passage about the pusher. The clamp is normally operative to grip the pusher to hold it in position relative to the tube and further operative in response to an elevated temperature to release the pusher for movement relative to the tube. The clamp may be formed integrally with the tube and may comprise at least one crimp or an annular ring surrounding the tube. The tube is tapered to be narrower at its distal end and may be formed of a shaped memory polymer material.

Abstract: The vasoocclusive coil has a primary coil configuration with a helical loop at at least one end. The terminal helical loop can have a J-shaped configuration, preferably with a loop diameter of about 2 mm. The coil is preferably provided with helical loops at both ends, with helical loop at the proximal and distal ends of the coil acting as an anchor to prevent the coil from coming free from the location being treated and escaping into the vasculature. In a presently preferred embodiment both ends of the coil have a J-shape. In another presently preferred aspect, the vasoocclusive coil includes one or more loops intermediate the ends of the coil. The device is formed from a multi-stranded micro-cable having a plurality of flexible strands of a shape memory material and at least one radiopaque strand.

Abstract: The hydrogel for the treatment of aneurysms acts as a carrier for both a radiopaque agent allowing the hydrogel to be visualized under fluoroscopy and a therapeutic agent such as one or more human growth factors. The hydrogel is delivered through a catheter into the aneurysm, where the hydrogel becomes more viscous upon reaching body temperature, or upon exposure to bodily fluids, to block blood flow into the aneurysm. In addition to stopping blood flow into the aneurysm, the delivery of human growth factors to the aneurysm site promotes the growth of a cellular layer across the neck of the aneurysm. The hydrogel may be of a type that dissolves over time or one which remains as a permanent occlusive agent within the aneurysm.

Abstract: The endoluminal device delivery assembly and method for release and deployment of an endoluminal therapeutic device at a desired location for treatment within the vasculature of a patient utilizes an elongated flexible tubular catheter with a tubular distal tip formed of a yieldable material mounted to the distal end of the catheter for releasably holding the proximal end of the endoluminal device. The endoluminal device can be dislodged from the tubular distal tip by a pusher member or pressurized fluid to expel the endoluminal device through at the desired location for treatment within the vasculature of a patient. A flexible coil can be mounted to the distal end of the elongated pusher member to provide for improved tracking.