Vascular embolic system

Abstract

Systems and methods of blocking a biological vessel are provided. The systems and methods may comprise introducing to the vessel an amphiphilic peptide. The peptide may comprise at least thirteen amino acids that may alternate between a hydrophobic amino acid and a hydrophilic amino acid. The peptide may form a beta-sheet spontaneously in an aqueous solution in the presence of a cation.

1 . A method of blocking a biological vessel in a subject comprising:
 introducing a catheter into a biological vessel;   positioning an end of the catheter in a target area of the biological vessel in which at least a partial obstruction is desired;   administering through the catheter a solution comprising an amphiphilic peptide comprising at least 12 amino acids that alternate between a hydrophobic amino acid and a hydrophilic amino acid in an effective amount and in an effective concentration to form a hydrogel under physiological conditions to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel;   removing the catheter from the biological vessel with the at least partial obstruction in place.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide solution comprises a contrast agent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising visualizing a region comprising at least a portion of the biological vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein visualizing the region comprising at least a portion of the biological vessel comprises visualizing the region during at least one of:
 identifying the target area of the biological vessel;   introducing the catheter;   positioning the end of the catheter in the target area;   administering the solution;   removing the catheter; and   visualizing the biological vessel after removing the catheter.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein visualizing the region comprises imaging using X-ray radiography. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein visualizing the region provides for selective administration of the solution to the biological vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising visualizing the region in a time period about two weeks subsequent the administration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration is based in part on a diameter of the target area of the biological vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration is based in part on the flow rate of the blood in the biological vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration is based in part on providing nanofibers of the hydrogel having an average pore size that is less than an average diameter of a red blood cell of the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration effective to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel comprises a concentration in a range of about 0.1 weight per volume (w/v) percent to about 3 w/v percent peptide. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount effective to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel comprises a volume in a range of about 0.1 mL to about 5 mL. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the area surrounding the at least partial blockage to determine an effectiveness of the at least partial obstruction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the treatment of disorders, malformations, or congenital ailments in biological vessels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the treatment of one of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and major aortopulmonary collateral artery (MAPCA). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the treatment of a disorder, malformation, or congenital ailment selected from the group consisting of recurrent hemotysis, arteriovenous malformations, cerebral aneurysms, gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, post-partum hemorrhage, surgical hemorrhage, and uterine fibroids. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the reduction of cancerous cells. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide solution is substantially free of cells. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide solution is substantially free of drugs. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering the solution comprises administering the solution in a single dose. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering the solution comprises administering the solution in at least two doses. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide has an amino acid sequence of one of RADARADARADARADA (SEQ ID NO: 7), IEIKIEIKIEIKI (SEQ ID NO: 8), and IEIKIEIKIEIKIEIKI (SEQ ID NO: 9). 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising evaluating the subject to determine a need for blocking a biological vessel and preparing the peptide solution. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein preparing the peptide solution comprises adding a contrast agent to a preliminary solution comprising peptides. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution is administered to allow complete blockage of the biological vessel. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing a guidewire into the biological vessel prior to introducing the catheter. 
     
     
         29 . A kit for blocking a biological vessel in a subject comprising:
 a solution comprising an amphiphilic peptide comprising at least 12 amino acids that alternate between a hydrophobic amino acid and a hydrophilic amino acid in an effective amount and in an effective concentration to form a hydrogel under physiological conditions to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel; and   instructions for administering the solution to the biological vessel in the subject.   
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 29 , further comprising a catheter to introduce the solution into the biological vessel of the subject. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 29 , further comprising instructions for adding contrast agent to the solution in an appropriate amount to visualize administering the solution. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one of a contrast agent and a sucrose solution. 
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 29 , further comprising instructions for diluting the solution to administer an effective concentration of the solution to the biological vessel in the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 33 , further comprising instructions for determining the effective concentration of the solution to the biological vessel in the subject based on the diameter of the biological vessel at a target area. 
     
     
         35 . A method of facilitating blocking a biological vessel in a subject comprising:
 providing a solution comprising an amphiphilic peptide comprising at least 12 amino acids that alternate between a hydrophobic amino acid and a hydrophilic amino acid in an effective amount and in an effective concentration to form a hydrogel under physiological conditions to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel; and   providing instructions for administering the solution to a target area of the biological vessel through introduction of the solution to a catheter positioned in the biological vessel.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising providing instructions to add a contrast agent to the solution. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising providing instructions to visualize a region comprising at least a portion of the biological vessel. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein providing instructions to visualize the region comprising at least a portion of the biological vessel comprises providing instruction to visualize the region during at least one of:
 identifying the target area of the biological vessel;   introducing a catheter;   positioning an end of the catheter in the target area;   administering the solution;   removing the catheter from the biological vessel with the at least partial blockage in place; and   visualizing the biological vessel after removing the catheter.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein providing instructions to visualize the region comprises imaging using X-ray radiography. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing instructions to visualize the region in a time period about two weeks subsequent the administration. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , comprises providing instructions to prepare at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration based in part on a diameter of the target area of the biological vessel. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration is based in part on the flow rate of the blood in the biological vessel. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the effective amount and the effective concentration is based in part on providing a hydrogel having an average pore size that is less than an average diameter of a red blood cell of the subject. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the concentration effective to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel comprises a concentration in a range of about 0.1 weight percent to about 3 weight percent peptide. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the amount effective to allow at least partial blockage of the biological vessel comprises a volume in a range of about 0.1 mL to about 5 mL. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising providing instructions to monitor the area surrounding the at least partial blockage to determine cell necrosis. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the treatment of disorders, malformations, or congenital ailments in biological vessels. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the formed blockage is used in the reduction of cancerous cells. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the peptide solution is substantially free of cells. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the peptide solution is substantially free of drugs. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the peptide has an amino acid sequence of one of RADARADARADARADA (SEQ ID NO: 7), IEIKIEIKIEIKI (SEQ ID NO: 8), and IEIKIEIKIEIKIEIKI (SEQ ID NO: 9).