Abstract: A device for treating an aneurysm including an aneurysm liner expandable to form an inner cavity and a plurality of extender segments supported in the aneurysm liner. The device includes an axial constraint coupled to the plurality of extender segments in the liner to axially constrain extender segments in end to end alignment to bias the liner in a collapsed profile.

Abstract: This is a medical device for bridging, and at least partially obstructing, the neck of a vascular aneurysm. In general, it is a device used to stabilize the presence of vaso-occlusive devices (such as helically wound coils) in the aneurysm. The device forms a support framework, including a base and strut(s) extending from and fixed to the base. It also includes swellable material selectively attached to the struts covering the neck portion of the aneurysm. The device, placed inside the aneurysm sac, provides therapeutic effect to the aneurysm.

Abstract: This is a device for occluding a space within the body. In particular, the device comprises a proximal portion having a complex, three-dimensional shape and a distal portion, where the diameter of the shape defined by the distal portion is smaller than the diameter of the shape defined by the proximal portion. The devices may be placed in a desired site within a mammal and are useful in occluding devices.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive implant has a primary helical-coil shape that defines a primary axis and a three-dimensional secondary shape. The secondary shape includes a substantially helical section and a second section having a plurality of non-overlapping loops or loop sections. Each loop defines a plane that is oriented at an angle from about 30-150 degrees relative to a plane defined by an immediately preceding or immediately succeeding loop along the primary axis. The coil sections or loops can be generally circular loops or other smooth shapes.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices with made of non-overlapping turns of a primary coil are described. Also described are methods of making and using these devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an embolic assembly delivery apparatus having superior flexibility characteristics at its distal end, that is, at the point of attachment of the embolic assembly to the delivery apparatus. It also provides a method of using the apparatus to deliver an embolic assembly to a target site in a patient's body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for blocking orifices and occluding cavities within a patient are provided. The device in one variation comprises first and second tubular members attached to a collapsible sealing element. The device can be placed through an orifice and the collapsible sealing element can be collapsed to seal the orifice. An embolic may be introduced distal to the sealing element to occlude a cavity. The device may incorporate a locking mechanism which can be engaged to lock the sealing element into the collapsed position. The device may incorporate a valve to prevent flow through the tubular members, for example to prevent egress of the embolic from a cavity. The device can be detached to provide a permanent seal of the orifice, and can retain the embolic within the cavity. The device may be used in conjunction with a stent or other retention device to assist the sealing element in maintaining the seal.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices with made of non-overlapping turns of a primary coil are described. Also described are methods of making and using these devices.

Abstract: The present invention is an aneurysm treatment device for treating aneurysms of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device is disclosed. The device includes a vaso-occlusive member having a coating disposed thereon. In accordance with one embodiment, the coating comprises a polyacrylic material. In accordance with another embodiment, the coating comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based material. In accordance with other embodiments, various other materials and coatings are applied to at least a portion of a vaso-occlusive device.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention pertains to an implantable medical device for at least partially obstructing a neck portion of a vascular aneurysm. The device includes an occlusion subassembly comprising a base section and at least one lateral protrusion fixedly attached to the base section. A therapeutic agent is disposed upon at least one portion of at least one lateral protrusion.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices are provided for occluding an aneurysm within the human vasculature. The vaso-occlusive device also includes a stretch-resisting member that extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the primary coil and is directly or indirectly attached to the primary coil at two locations axially separated from each other to prevent or minimize axial stretching of the primary coil. At one location, the stretch-resisting member is coupled to the primary coil via a flexible anchor assembly disposed within the lumen. The anchor assembly may comprise an anchor coil and a link or, alternatively, a chain of twisted links. In another embodiment, the anchor coil is incorporated into the primary coil by disposing the anchor coil windings between the windings of the primary coil. The vaso-occlusive assembly contains multiple detachment points at which the stretch-resistant coil(s) can be separated from the delivery device.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices are provided for occluding an aneurysm within the human vasculature. The vaso-occlusive device also includes a stretch-resisting member that extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the primary coil and is directly or indirectly attached to the primary coil at two locations axially separated from each other to prevent or minimize axial stretching of the primary coil. At one location, the stretch-resisting member is coupled to the primary coil via a flexible anchor assembly disposed within the lumen. The anchor coil is incorporated into the primary coil by disposing the anchor coil windings between the windings of the primary coil.

Abstract: This relates to a composition for forming a radioactive material suitable for use in medicinal purposes. The invention relates to radioactive polymeric materials and radioactive vaso-occlusive devices. The invention also relates to radioactive, biodegradable occlusive agents which may be made from a precursor composition containing at least one biodegradable, polymeric component and at least one radioactive material. The occlusive agent may further include bioactive materials and/or known vaso-occlusive devices.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices with made of non-overlapping turns of a primary coil are described. Also described are methods of making and using these devices.

Abstract: This relates to a composition for forming a radioactive material suitable for use in medicinal purposes. The invention relates to radioactive polymeric materials and radioactive vaso-occlusive devices. The invention also relates to radioactive, biodegradable occlusive agents which may be made from a precursor composition containing at least one biodegradable, polymeric component and at least one radioactive material. The occlusive agent may further include bioactive materials and/or known vaso-occlusive devices.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which has a high strength proximal portion, a distal portion formed of superelastic alloy and a connector formed of superelastic alloy to provide torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal portion and the proximal end of the distal portion. The superelastic alloy elements are preferably cold worked and then heat treated at a temperature well above the austenite-to-martensite transformation temperature, while being subjected to longitudinal stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature yield stress to impart to the metal a straight “memory.” The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of at least 70 ksi for solid members and at least 50 ksi for tubular members with a broad recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention pertains to an implantable medical device for at least partially obstructing a neck portion of a vascular aneurysm. The implantable medical device includes an occlusion subassembly having a central tubular member and at least one lateral protrusion fixedly attached to the central tubular member. The lateral protrusion(s) and the central tubular member are of a size and overall flexibility to lodge at the neck portion of the vascular aneurysm. A coil is attached to the lateral protrusion.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices with selectively flattened surfaces are described. Also described are methods of making and using these devices.

Abstract: The present invention involves a magnetic embolization apparatus and method for embolizing an aneurysm of a blood vessel. The magnetic embolization apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion adapted for insertion within an aneurysm of a blood vessel, a permanent magnet carried by the distal portion of the catheter to internally induce a magnetic field from within the aneurysm to control a magnetic field controllable embolic to embolize the aneurysm, and an electromagnet carried by the distal portion of the catheter to internally induce a magnetic field to control delivery of the magnetic field controllable embolic. The method includes delivering a magnetic-field controllable embolic into an aneurysm, inducing a magnetic field in the aneurysm to control the magnetic-field controllable embolic to embolize the aneurysm with the permanent magnet of the catheter, and controlling the delivery of the magnetic-field controllable embolic into the aneurysm with an electromagnet.