System and method for retaining vaso-occlusive devices within an aneurysm

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall. Generally, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a mesh-like structure that is integrally composed of a shape-memory alloy such as NiTi. The device is deployed within the aneurysm through the aneurysmal neck. The device is configured to be in a deployed state and an undeployed state, and is configured to transition from the undeployed state to the deployed state by exposure to a higher temperature and/or by being unconstrained. The device may function to retain finer vaso-occlusive devices such as vaso-occlusive coils and/or embolic liquids. Furthermore, the device itself may function as a vaso-occlusive device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vaso-occlusive device for use in occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, comprising: 
 a mesh-like structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end, at least one of the proximal and distal ends configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in an undeployed state, and configured to flare open and expand against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall when in a deployed state.    
     
     
         2 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh-like structure further comprises a central tubular element.  
     
     
         3 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximal end and distal end comprises the distal end.  
     
     
         4 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least proximal end and distal end comprises the proximal end.  
     
     
         5 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 3 , wherein the proximal end of the mesh-like structure is configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in the undeployed state, and configured to expand into a flattened disk against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall when in the deployed state.  
     
     
         6 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the proximal end and distal end is configured to expand by heat activation into the deployed state.  
     
     
         7 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the proximal end and distal end is configured to expand into the deployed state upon release of a compressive force.  
     
     
         8 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh-like structure is formed from a plurality of braided fine wires.  
     
     
         9 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh-like structure is composed of a NiTi alloy.  
     
     
         10 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 9 , wherein the fine wires have varying diameters.  
     
     
         11 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 9 , wherein one or more of the fine wires are radiopaque.  
     
     
         12 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh-like structure is coated with radiopaque material.  
     
     
         13 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 1 , further comprising radiopaque markers coupled to the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         14 . A catheter assembly for occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, comprising: 
 a delivery catheter having a distal end; and    a mesh-like structure detachably coupled to the distal end of the catheter, the mesh-like structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end, at least one of the proximal and distal ends configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in an undeployed state, and configured to flare open and expand against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall when in a deployed state.    
     
     
         15 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh-like structure further comprises a central tubular element.  
     
     
         16 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one proximal end and distal end comprises the distal end.  
     
     
         17 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least proximal end and distal end comprises the proximal end.  
     
     
         18 . The catheter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the proximal end of the mesh-like structure is configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in the undeployed state, and configured to expand into a flattened disk against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall when in the deployed state.  
     
     
         19 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the proximal end and distal end is configured to expand by heat activation into the deployed state.  
     
     
         20 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the proximal end and distal end is configured to expand into the deployed state upon releasing a compressive force.  
     
     
         21 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh-like structure is formed from a plurality of braided fine wires.  
     
     
         22 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh-like structure is composed of a NiTi alloy.  
     
     
         23 . The catheter assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the fine wires have varying diameters.  
     
     
         24 . The catheter assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the fine wires are radiopaque.  
     
     
         25 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh-like structure is coated with radiopaque material.  
     
     
         26 . The catheter assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising radiopaque markers coupled to the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         27 . The catheter assembly in  claim 14 , wherein the mesh-like structure is capable of being delivered to the aneurysm using a method selected from a group consisting of an electrolytically severable method, a retractable sheath method, and a push method.  
     
     
         28 . A method of occluding an aneurysm with a mesh-like structure, the aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, comprising: 
 delivering the mesh-like structure to the aneurysm;    inserting an end of the mesh-like structure through the aneurysmal neck; and    flaring the end of the mesh-like structure open to expand against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the end of the mesh-like structure comprises a distal end of the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the end of the mesh-like structure comprises a proximal end of the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the aneurysm comprises a dome, and the end of the mesh-like structure is expanded against the aneurysmal inner wall adjacent the dome.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 inserting another end of the mesh-like structure through the aneurysmal neck; and    expanding the other end of the mesh-like structure into a flatten disk against at least a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the aneurysm comprises a dome, the end of the mesh-like structure is expanded against the aneurysmal inner wall adjacent the dome, and the other end of the mesh-like structure is expanded against the aneurysmal inner wall adjacent the aneurysmal neck.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the mesh-like structure is heat activated to flare the end open.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a compressive force is released from the mesh-like structure to flare the end open.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the mesh-like structure is delivered to the aneurysm with a catheter.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising releasing the mesh-like structure from the catheter using a method selected from a group consisting of an electrolytically severable method, a retractable sheath method, and a push method.  
     
     
         38 . A vaso-occlusive device for use in occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, the aneurysm residing in a vessel having a vessel inner wall, the device comprising: 
 a mesh-like structure comprising a retainer and an anchor, the retainer configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in an undeployed state, and configured to expand against a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall surrounding the aneurysmal neck when in a deployed state, wherein a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall is not covered by the mesh-like structure, the anchor configured to expand against a portion of the vessel inner wall adjacent the aneurysmal neck when in a deployed state.    
     
     
         39 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the mesh-like structure further comprises a central tubular element, and the retainer and anchor are formed at opposing ends of the central tubular element.  
     
     
         40 . The vaso-occlusive device in  claim 38 , wherein the retainer and anchor are shaped as flattened disks.  
     
     
         41 . The vaso-occlusive device in  claim 38 , wherein the retainer is shaped as a flared open cup and the anchor is shaped as a flattened disk.  
     
     
         42 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the retainer and anchor are configured to expand by heat activation into the deployed state.  
     
     
         43 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the retainer and anchor are s configured to expand into the deployed state when unconstrained.  
     
     
         44 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the mesh-like structure is formed from a plurality of braided fine wires.  
     
     
         45 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the mesh-like structure is composed of a NiTi alloy.  
     
     
         46 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 44 , wherein the plurality of fine wires have varying diameters.  
     
     
         47 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 44 , wherein the fine wires are radiopaque.  
     
     
         48 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the mesh-like structure is coated with radiopaque material.  
     
     
         49 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 38 , further comprising radiopaque markers coupled to the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         50 . A catheter assembly for occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, comprising: 
 a delivery catheter having a distal end; and    a mesh-like structure detachably coupled to the distal end of the catheter, the mesh-like structure comprising a retainer and an anchor, the retainer configured to be inserted through the aneurysmal neck when in an undeployed state, and configured to expand against a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall surrounding the aneurysmal neck when in a deployed state, wherein a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall is not covered by the mesh-like structure, the anchor configured to expand against a portion of the vessel inner wall adjacent the aneurysmal neck when in a deployed state.    
     
     
         51 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the mesh-like structure further comprises a central tubular element, and the retainer and anchor are formed at opposing ends of the central tubular element.  
     
     
         52 . The vaso-occlusive device in  claim 50 , wherein the retainer and anchor are shaped as flattened disks.  
     
     
         53 . The vaso-occlusive device in  claim 50 , wherein the retainer is shaped as a flared open cup and the anchor is shaped as a flattened disk.  
     
     
         54 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the retainer and anchor are configured to expand by heat activation into the deployed state.  
     
     
         55 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the retainer and anchor are configured to expand into the deployed state when unconstrained.  
     
     
         56 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the mesh-like structure is formed from a plurality of braided fine wires.  
     
     
         57 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the mesh-like structure is composed of a NiTi alloy.  
     
     
         58 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 56 , wherein the plurality of fine wires have varying diameters.  
     
     
         59 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 56 , wherein the fine wires are radiopaque.  
     
     
         60 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , wherein the mesh-like structure is coated with radiopaque material.  
     
     
         61 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 50 , further comprising radiopaque markers coupled to the mesh-like structure.  
     
     
         62 . A method of occluding an aneurysm with a mesh-like structure, the aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall, the aneurysm residing in a vessel having a vessel inner wall, comprising: 
 delivering the mesh-like structure to the aneurysm;    inserting a first end of the mesh-like structure through the aneurysmal neck;    expanding the first end of the mesh-like structure against a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall surrounding the aneurysmal neck, wherein a portion of the aneurysmal inner wall is not covered by the mesh-like structure; and    expanding a second end of the mesh-like structure against a portion of the vessel inner wall adjacent the aneurysmal neck to anchor the mesh-like structure.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the mesh-like structure comprises a central tubular element between the first and second ends, and the method further comprises inserting the central tubular element within the aneurysmal neck.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the first and second ends of the mesh-like structure are both expanded into flattened disks.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the first end of the mesh-like structure is expanded into an open cup, and the second end of the mesh-like structure is expanded into a flattened disk.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the mesh-like structure is heat activated to expand the first and second ends.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein a compressive force is released from the mesh-like structure to expand the first and second ends.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising introducing a vaso-occlusive agent through the mesh-like structure and into the aneurysm, wherein the vaso-occlusive agent is retained within the aneurysm.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the vaso-occlusive agent comprises one or more coils.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the vaso-occlusive agent comprises an embolic agent.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the mesh-like structure is delivered to the aneurysm with a catheter.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising releasing the mesh-like structure from the catheter using a method selected from a group consisting of an electrolytically severable method, a retractable sheath method, and a push method.