Abstract: A method of treating an aneurysm with an occlusion device having an inner embolic device with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section has a first stiffness and the proximal section has a second stiffness. Further, the device has an expandable mesh capable of a collapsed position and an expanded position. The mesh can be disposed over, and attached to, a portion of the proximal section of the inner embolic device. The first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness and the inner embolic device comprises a preselected shape which assists in transforming the expandable mesh from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

Abstract: An occlusion device for treating an aneurysm can have an inner embolic device with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section has a first stiffness and the proximal section has a second stiffness. Further, the device has an expandable mesh capable of a collapsed position and an expanded position. The mesh can be disposed over, and attached to, a portion of the proximal section of the inner embolic device. The first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness and the inner embolic device has a preselected shape which assists in transforming the expandable mesh from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-expanding braided tubular member for treating an aneurysm. The braid can include a distal implant end opposite a proximal implant end. Translating the braid distally from within a tubular delivery member can cause the distal implant end to invert and fold into itself thereby forming an occlusive sack for occluding an aneurysm.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: A vascular flow diverter includes a tubular mesh framework which includes a mesh cover and an opening. The tubular mesh framework is collapsible and configured to expand from a collapsed shape to a tubular shape when the vascular flow diverter is deployed. The mesh cover conforms to the shape of the tubular mesh, is surrounded by the tubular mesh framework, and is less porous than the tubular mesh framework. The opening is located within the mesh cover. A delivery wire passes through the opening in order to guide the flow diverter into place over an aneurysm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a catheter to a location of interest in the vasculature, the method including selectively positioning a guidewire at the location, positioning a self-expanding sheath within a lumen of the catheter, advancing the catheter and the self-expanding sheath in tandem over the guidewire, and distally moving a distal end of the self-expanding sheath out from an inner lumen of the catheter thereby causing the self-expanding sheath to move from a collapsed state within the catheter to an expanded state outside the catheter.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system having a lumen with proximal and distal ends. An embolic device having a proximal retaining ring and an expandable member having a contracted and expanded state, with two apertures. The expandable member is disposed in the lumen in the expanded state. An engagement member has a distal loop extending through the retaining ring and a proximal loop extending into the lumen. The detachment member slides within the lumen and another of the apertures and is disposed through the loops. It comprises a bump on the detachment member between the loops. When the detachment member is in the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is in an engaged position. Pulling the detachment member withdraws it from the distal loop. The bump contacts the proximal loop to assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.

Abstract: A mechanism can include a step feature guidewire having a guidewire with a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter. A self-expanding element can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter. The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent properties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element. Further, the expanded diameter can be approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. While the guidewire is designed for passing through a body lumen while treating a patient, the expanded diameter is less than any body lumen diameter the guidewire is determined to pass through.

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: A vascular occlusion device for effectively occluding blood flow and pressure to a vascular defect while simultaneously not occluding blood flow and pressure to adjacent vasculature is provided. The vascular occlusion device can include a tubular member that has variable porosity regions along its length. The tubular member can be formed of a plurality of filaments that have different cross-sectional shapes along their length that are indexed to the variable porosity regions along the length of the tubular member.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: A braided stent system includes a stent body having a lumen formed by a plurality of braided members with interstices formed therebetween and a first expansion ring connected to the lumen of the stent body. The first expansion ring may include a frame defined by a plurality of interconnected support assemblies that are selectively positioned to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the stent body, each support assembly can include a plurality of legs joined at a first intersection and connected to one of the other interconnected support assemblies at a second intersection opposite the first intersection. Each support assembly can include a claw portion mechanically connected to one or more of the interstices of the stent body so that the frame imparts an outward radial expansion force of the stent to facilitate use and delivery of the stent.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system includes a catheter having a first lumen and proximal and distal ends. A notch is disposed in the first lumen, forming a second lumen. An embolic device has a retaining ring at the proximal end. An engagement member includes a distal loop extending through the retaining ring, and a proximal loop extending into the first lumen. An elongated detachment member can be disposed through the loops and have a detachment member bump disposed between the loops. When the detachment member is disposed within the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is engaged. When the detachment member is pulled proximally, the detachment member is withdrawn from the distal loop, and the detachment member bump contacts the proximal loop. These acts assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating fuse element made of a material that melts when a current is applied that exceeds a predetermined maximum current threshold. An electrically conductive corewire connected proximate its distal end directly to the heating fuse element at a first electrical connection joint, while a separate insulated electrically conductive wire is electrically connected directly to the heating fuse element at a second electrical connection joint. An inner insulation sleeve placed over a distal section of the corewire covers the first electrical connection joint and is disposed between the insulated electrically conductive wire and the electrically conductive corewire. An outer insulation sleeve is disposed over a distal section of an assembly including the insulated electrically conductive wire, the inner insulation sleeve and the electrically conductive corewire. The outer insulation sleeve covers the second electrical connection joint.

Abstract: An endovascular surgical tool includes a flexible, electrically-conductive corewire, a return conductor, a resistive heating element attached to the distal end of the corewire, and a therapeutic payload attached to the loop of the resistive heating element by a coil connecting member. The corewire includes at least one segment at its distal end which transitions from the substantially uniform cross-section of its proximal end to a smaller distal cross-section. The return conductor is electrically insulated from and bonded to the corewire. The resistive heating element includes a first terminal electrically connected to the corewire, a second terminal electrically connected to the return conductor, a helical coil, and a loop. The helical coil and the loop are electrically in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. The coil connecting member has a release temperature lower than a loop melting temperature of the loop of the resistive heating element.

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: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a wound coil heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the wound coil heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the wound coil heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the wound coil heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the wound coil heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the wound coil heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: Radiopaque markers for use with stents implantable within a body vessel are provided with one or more through-holes. Each through-hole extends through the thickness of the marker to expose a portion of the stent underlying the marker. The marker is welded to the stent through each through-hole. Also provided are stents incorporating a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes suitable for receiving a plug weld. Methods are provided for securing a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes to a stent via welds.