Vascular plug

Abstract

A vascular plug for implantation into a patient's vessel includes an inflatable balloon and a flow accelerator. The flow accelerator includes a conical portion and a tubular coupling element which couples the conical portion to an aperture to the interior of the inflatable balloon. The flow accelerator will concentrate and therefore accelerate fluid flow into the inflatable balloon. Flow accelerator will increase the pressure of fluid thereby to cause the inflatable balloon to inflate even within a pressurised blood vessel. The plug may include a sleeve which provides a chamber between the flow accelerator and the balloon, into which blood may pass from the inflatable balloon or the flow accelerator to create additional blood statis and as a result thrombosis and a second occlusive barrier.

1 . A vascular plug for occluding a body vessel, the plug comprising:
 an inflatable element provided with an aperture, the aperture comprising a one-way valve; and   a flow accelerator including first and second ends, the first end providing a greater flow area than a flow area of the second end, the second end being coupled to the aperture of the inflatable element.   
     
     
         2 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow accelerator is generally conical. 
     
     
         3 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow accelerator includes a conical portion. 
     
     
         4 . The vascular plug according to  claim 3 , wherein the flow accelerator includes a cylindrical portion attached to the first end of the conical portion. 
     
     
         5 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the flow accelerator provides or includes a neck. 
     
     
         6 . The vascular plug according to  claim 5 , wherein the neck includes a tubular neck section. 
     
     
         7 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inflatable element and the flow accelerator is made of an expandable or elastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inflatable element and the flow accelerator is made of an inextensible material. 
     
     
         9 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inflatable element and the flow accelerator is made of a material from the group including: polyurethane, polyamide, polyether block amide, silicone and thermoplastic elastomers. 
     
     
         10 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member has a diameter and a length, and wherein its length is less than its diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the flow accelerator has a cross-sectional shape which is substantially circular. 
     
     
         12 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable element comprises a wall, and the one-way valve comprises a flap of material attached to the wall of the inflatable element, the flap having a larger diameter than the aperture of the inflatable element. 
     
     
         13 . The vascular plug according to  claim 12 , wherein the flap is made of the same material as the inflatable element. 
     
     
         14 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one anchoring element extending radially outward from the first end of the flow accelerator. 
     
     
         15 . The vascular plug according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchoring element comprises a barb comprising a point, the point being oriented toward the second end of the flow accelerator. 
     
     
         16 . The vascular plug according to  claim 15  comprising a plurality of anchoring elements arranged circumferentially around the first end of the flow accelerator. 
     
     
         17 . The vascular plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow accelerator further comprises at least one self-expanding strengthening element for assisting in deployment of the vascular plug and maintaining the shape of the vascular plug in situ. 
     
     
         18 . The vascular plug according to  claim 17 , wherein the strengthening element comprises a frame. 
     
     
         19 . The vascular plug according to  claim 17 , wherein the strengthening element comprises a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         20 . A vascular plug for occluding a body vessel, the plug comprising:
 an inflatable element provided with a aperture; and   a flow accelerator including first and second ends, the first end providing a greater flow area than a flow area of the second end, the second end being coupled to the aperture of the inflatable element;   wherein the aperture does not include a valve.