Vascular remodeling device

Abstract

A generally spherical vascular remodeling device is permanently positionable at a junction of afferent and efferent vessels of a bifurcation having an aneurysm. After positioning the device at the junction to substantially conform the device to the shape of the junction, the device acts as a scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of the aneurysm and permits perfusion to the efferent vessels. Positioning the device may include deployment and mechanical or electrolytic release from a catheter. Embolic material may be inserted in the aneurysm before or after positioning the device. The device may have a first end, a second end substantially opposite to the first end, and a plurality of polymer filaments extending between and coupled at the first end and the second end. Such devices may be football shaped, pumpkin shaped, or twisted. The device may include a plurality of polymer loops forming a generally spherical shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vascular remodeling device comprising:
 a plurality of polymer filaments;   wherein proximal ends of the plurality of polymer filaments are coupled together by a bioabsorbable coupling at a proximal end of the device;   wherein the coupling is configured to bioabsorb more quickly than does the plurality of polymer filaments;   wherein the proximal ends of the plurality of polymer filaments are configured to be released from the coupling after bioabsorption of the coupling.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the polymer filaments comprise polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly-epsilon-caprolactone, or naturally-derived bioabsorbable polymers. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first group of the polymer filaments comprise a first polymer having a first rate of bioabsorption and a second group of the polymer filaments comprise a second polymer different than the first polymer, the second polymer having a second rate of bioabsorption different that the first rate of bioabsorption. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is generally football-shaped, the proximal end of the device extending outwardly and a distal end extending outwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is generally pumpkin-shaped, the proximal end of the device extending outwardly and a distal end extending inwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first porosity distally increases between the second end and an approximate midpoint and wherein a second porosity distally decreases between the midpoint and the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the filaments are longitudinally angled at the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises between about 6 filaments and about 12 filaments. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of polymer filaments are configured to extend towards an afferent vessel after bioabsorption of the coupling. 
     
     
         10 . A vascular remodeling device comprising:
 a first end;   a second end substantially opposite to the first end; and   a plurality of polymer filaments extending between the first end and the second end and coupled at the first end and the second end,   wherein a first group of the polymer filaments comprises a first polymer having a first rate of bioabsorption and a second group of the polymer filaments comprises a second polymer different than the first polymer, the second polymer having a second rate of bioabsorption different than the first rate of bioabsorption.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the polymer filaments comprise polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly-epsilon-caprolactone, or naturally-derived bioabsorbable polymers. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is generally football-shaped, the first end extending outwardly and the second end extending outwardly. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is generally pumpkin-shaped, the first end extending outwardly and the second end extending inwardly. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a first porosity distally increases between the second end and an approximate midpoint and wherein a second porosity distally decreases between the midpoint and the first end. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the filaments are longitudinally angled at the second end. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises between about 6 filaments and about 12 filaments. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a proximal end of the device comprises a bioabsorbable coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling is configured to bioabsorb more quickly than the plurality of polymer filaments. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of polymer filaments are configured to be released from the coupling after bioabsorption of the coupling. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of polymer filaments are configured to extend towards an afferent vessel after bioabsorption of the coupling.