Device and method for filling an aneurysm or body cavity

Abstract

The invention relates generally to embolic agents and embolic delivery systems more specifically it relates to a device and method for filling of aneurysm or body cavity. In various embodiments, segmented and monolithic embolic agents provide the operator with the ability to select and detach the length of embolic agent, either extracorporeally or intracorporeally as desired by the operator, for implantation into the aneurysm or body cavity. Linking elements and detachment elements may be utilized by the operator to connect and detach variable lengths of embolic agents either extracorporeally or intracorporeally utilizing electrolytic, chemical, and mechanical detachment mechanisms. Embolic delivery systems are disclosed providing for constant and steady propulsion of the embolic agent.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An embolic agent apparatus, comprising:
 an embolic agent with at least two or more segments, each segment of the embolic agent having a proximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end; and,   a detachment element separating each embolic agent segment operable to provide a detachment site selectable by the operator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a linking element operable to connect the proximal end of the embolic agent to a detachment element associated with the distal end of a pusher element operable to allow the operator to orient the embolic agent with bi-directional motion. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a linking element operable to link the proximal end of the embolic agent with the distal end of the detachment element operable to advance the detachment site of the embolic agent intracorporeally. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the embolic agent includes at least one node located between the distal and proximate ends of at least one segment of the embolic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the embolic agent includes at least one notch located between the distal and proximate ends of at least one segment of the embolic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the detachment element is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical detachment element, an electrolytic detachment element, a bi-directional locking element, a heat sensitive adhesive, a heat deformable metal, a corrodible metal, a dissolvable metal, and a dissolvable polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the embolic agent is selected from the group consisting of a monofilament, a multifilament, a helical wire, an encapsulated wire, a coated helical wire, a chemically dissolvable polymer, an electrolytically corrodible wire, a polymer, a metal wire, a polyglycolide, a polylactide, a poly L-lactide, a poly DL-lactide, a poly-caprolactone, and a copolymer. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one segment of the embolic agent includes a removable seal. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the embolic agent further comprises:
 a wire within the body of the embolic agent capable of conducting electrical current. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the embolic agent further comprises:
 a traction element located on a surface of the embolic agent. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a linking element with an attachment pin and the linking element positioned between the embolic agent and the detachment element. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the linking element includes a traction element applied to the attachment pin wherein the traction element is selected from the group consisting of a barb, a ridge, an attachment pin, a curved attachment pin, a frictional roughness, and a threaded connection. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the detachment element is one selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a sealant, a chemically corrodible polymer, an electrolytically corrodible metal, a polymer, polyglycolide, a polylactide, a poly L-lactide, a poly DL-lactide, a poly-caprolactone, and a copolymer. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the detachment element or embolic agent is modified by an embolic detachment tool selected from the group consisting of a spark generator, a heat gun, a sander, a shaper, a wire stripper, a dissolution chamber, a swage tool, an adhesive, a heat chamber, a scissor or a blade. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the comprising:
 a catheter for guiding the embolic agent to the target tissue wherein the catheter includes an electrical current conducting wire secured within the wall of the catheter up to the catheter tip, operable to allow the operator to place the tip of the catheter at the desired detachment element and electrolytically detach the embolic agent intracorporeally. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the comprising:
 a catheter for guiding the embolic agent to the target tissue wherein the catheter delivers a solvent to the selected detachment element, operable to allow the operator to place the tip of the catheter at the desired detachment element and chemically detach the embolic agent intracorporeally. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the embolic agent further comprises a thermally reactive wire incorporated into the embolic agent wherein the thermal wire includes shape memory such that the embolic agent is substantially linear in the extracorporeal environment and upon introduction into the intracorporeal environment at elevated temperature the embolic agent assumes a complex memory shape. 
     
     
         18 . A catheter apparatus, comprising:
 a lumen and a wall forming a tube structure with a proximal end, a middle portion and a distal end;   at least one wire encapsulated within the wall portion capable of conducting electricity; and,   a contact attached to the proximal end of the tube and a contact attached to the distal end of the tube so as to provide electrical energy to an embolic agent, a detachment element or the local ionic medium.   
     
     
         19 . An embolic delivery system, comprising:
 a drive pulley attached to a drive shaft, a timing pulley and a feeder roller attached to a pulley shaft;   a catheter or embolic agent oriented between at least two feeder rollers; and,   a timing belt in mechanical communication with the drive pulley and timing pulley operable to bi-directionally move the embolic agent toward a target tissue.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein at least one feeder roller includes a groove around its circumference to assist in feeding and providing traction between the feeder roller and the catheter or embolic agent.