Vaso-occlusive device having pivotable coupling

Abstract

An assembly for occluding a vascular site (e.g., an aneurysm) of a human or veterinary patient includes a vaso-occlusive member, a pusher member having a distal end and a severable junction located proximal to the distal end, and a pivotable coupling that couples the pusher member to the occlusive member. A delivery catheter can be used to deliver the vaso-occlusive member to the vascular site. A method of using the assembly to occlude an aneurysm having an aneurysmal sac and an aneurysmal neck, includes locating the catheter within the aneurysmal neck, and manipulating the pusher member to place the vaso-occlusive member within the aneurysmal sac. The method further includes severing the severable junction to detach the vaso-occlusive member from the pusher member. As a result, an axial force is applied by the vaso-occlusive member in a proximal direction, which buckles the pivotable coupling to laterally deflect the axial force. The lateral deflection of the axial force caused by the buckling of the pivotable coupling prevents the catheter from being displaced from the aneurysmal neck by the axial force.

1 . An assembly for occluding a vascular site of a human or veterinary patient, the assembly comprising:
 a vaso-occlusive member;   a pusher member having a distal end and a severable junction located proximal to the distal end; and   a pivotable coupling that couples the pusher member to the occlusive member, wherein the pivotable coupling comprises a proximal link member coupled to the pusher member distal end, and a distal link member coupled to the vaso-occlusive member, wherein the respective proximal and distal link members pivotably engage each other.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal link members are hooks or loops. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a proximal coil coupled to the pusher member distal end, wherein the proximal link member is disposed on a distal end of the proximal coil; and   a distal coil coupled to the vaso-occlusive member, wherein the distal link member is disposed on a proximal end of the distal coil.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the severable junction comprises a mechanically severable junction. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the severable junction comprises an electrolytically severable junction. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vaso-occlusive member comprises a coil. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a stretch-resisting member, wherein the pivotable coupling anchors the stretch-resisting member within a lumen of the coil. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable coupling comprises an element that electrically insulates the pusher member distal end from vaso-occlusive member. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a catheter having a delivery lumen in which the pusher member is slidably disposed. 
     
     
         10 . A method of occluding a vascular site using the assembly of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 manipulating the pusher member to place the vaso-occlusive member adjacent the vascular site;   severing the severable junction to detach the vaso-occlusive member from the pusher member, wherein an axial force is applied by the vaso-occlusive member in a proximal direction; and   buckling the pivotable coupling to laterally deflect the axial force.   
     
     
         11 . A method of occluding a vascular site using the assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vascular site comprises an aneurysm having an aneurysmal sac and an aneurysmal neck, the method comprising:
 locating the catheter within the aneurysmal neck;   manipulating the pusher member to place the vaso-occlusive member within the aneurysmal sac;   severing the severable junction to detach the vaso-occlusive member from the pusher member, wherein an axial force is applied by the vaso-occlusive member in a proximal direction; and   buckling the pivotable coupling to laterally deflect the axial force, wherein the catheter is not displaced from the aneurysmal neck by the axial force.