US20030083676A1 - Aneurysm neck obstruction device - Google Patents

Abstract

An implantable medical device for at least partially closing a portion of a vascular aneurysm is disclosed. The treatment device includes a neck bridge having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The treatment device also includes an actuation mechanism operably attached to the neck bridge and configured to covert the neck bridge between the delivery configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has an elongated form, and the deployed configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has a constricted form.

Description

• The present application is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/886,567, filed Jun. 21, 2001, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention deals with a medical treatment device. While conceivably the device could be utilized in the context of a variety of body spaces, the present description, for the sake of brevity, will be focused primarily on the treatment of vascular aneurysms. Accordingly, the present invention deals with an aneurysm treatment device for at least partially obstructing the neck portion of a vascular aneurysm.[0002]
• A vascular aneurysm can be described as a localized stretching or distension of an artery due to a weakening of the vessel wall. The vascular distension itself is often referred to as an aneurysm sac and is typically related to a defect in the muscular coating of the artery and is probably developmental in origin. The entrance area that leads from the vessel to the aneurysm sack is often referred as an aneurysm neck. Often an aneurysm can be the site of internal bleeding and, catastrophically, the site of a stroke.[0003]
• Several methods of treating aneurysms have been attempted, with varying degrees of success. At present, the treatment of aneurysms with drugs is substantially ineffective. Also, extra-vascular surgery, referred to as open craniotomy, for the purpose of preserving the parent artery is replete with disadvantages. A patient subject to open craniotomy for intercranial aneurysms typically must undergo general anesthesia, surgical removal of part of the skull, brain retraction, dissection around the neck of the aneurysm sac, and placement of a clip on the parent artery to prevent bleeding or rebleeding.[0004]
• Alternative treatments include endovascular occlusion where the interior of the aneurysm is entered with a guidewire or a microcatheter. An occlusion is formed within the sac with an intention to preserve the parent artery. One means for forming the occlusion is through the introduction of an embolic agent within the sac. Examples of embolic agents include detachable coils, which are detached from the end of a guidewire, liquid polymers that polymerize rapidly on contact with blood to form a firm mass, and embolic particles delivered through a catheter.[0005]
• Endovascular occlusion is not without drawbacks. For example, there is a risk of overfilling the sac and consequent embolic agent migration into the parent vessel. Overfilling of the sac can also generate undesirable additional pressure in the aneurysm.[0006]
• Aneurysms that have a particularly wide opening between the aneurysm sac and the parent vessel (“wide neck aneurysm”) present difficulties concerning the retention of embolic materials. Specifically, wide neck aneurysms make it very difficult to maintain embolics (or other occlusive materials) within the aneurysm sac. This is especially true of liquid embolic materials. Of course, should the embolic material enter the parent vessel, it poses an undesirable risk of occlusion in the parent vessel.[0007]
• Another means for forming a mass in an aneurysm sac involves the placement of an elastic expandable balloon in the aneurysm. Detachable occlusion balloons have been used for a number of medical procedures. These balloons are typically carried at the end of a catheter and, once inflated, are detached from the catheter. Such a balloon may be positioned within an aneurysm, filled and then detached from the catheter. Deploying the balloon within the aneurysm can be rather difficult due to the high rates of blood flow through the aneurysm.[0008]
• In addition to delivery complications, elastic balloons have exhibited other problems with respect to performance in the context of vascular aneurysms. For example, as the balloon is inflated within an aneurysm, the operator must be very careful not to overfill the balloon due to possible risk of rupturing the aneurysm. Accordingly, following inflation, the balloon may be too small, potentially resulting in a release of the balloon from the aneurysm into the blood stream. Furthermore, the balloon often does not mold or shape to the odd-shaped contours of the aneurysm, leaving room for blood to continue flowing through the aneurysm, or generating undesired pressure on the aneurysm walls.[0009]
• Another means for treating vascualr aneurysms involves the placement of a liner in the aneurysm sac. An aneurysm liner includes a liner sac that is placed in the aneurysm sac and filled so as to occlude the aneurysm. A guidewire is typically utilized to carry the liner through the vasculature and to assist in deploying the liner in the aneurysm.[0010]
• While the aneurysm liner concept is intuitively attractive, it has posed a number of technical challenges. One primary challenge involves the difficulty in producing a material that is robust enough to contain embolic material without inhibiting the ability of the embolics to conform to the aneurysm geometry itself, rather than the geometry of the liner. In many instances, materials currently incorporated into aneurysm liner concepts are not compliant enough to adequately remodel the neck portion of an aneurysm sac. This disadvantage can lead to neck remnants and subsequently recanalization after embolization.[0011]
• Most current aneurysm liners are physically inconvenient or inappropriate for treatment of large aneurysms. For example, many liner concepts involve forming the aneurysm liner of a woven or braided polymeric material such as polypropylene or polyester. These mesh materials are difficult to use in treating medium to large size aneurysms, for example, aneurysms 5-20 millimeters in diameter. Such mesh materials result in an assembly that is too bulky when collapsed down into the catheter for delivery. In other words, the amount of liner material required to fill a relatively large aneurysm is very difficult to collapse down into a constrained, low profile, delivery configuration small enough to be delivered and deployed without excess friction on the walls of the delivery catheter or other delivery lumen. The bulkiness of these devices makes them inconvenient or inappropriate for intra-cranial delivery.[0012]
• It should also be noted that many current aneurysm liner concepts lack consistent and effective expansion systems or concepts. A consistent and effective expansion reduces procedural complications associated with transformation of liners from a constrained state in a delivery catheter to an unconstrained state when deployed in an aneurysm.[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is an aneurysm treatment device for treating aneurysms of various shapes and sizes.[0014]
• One aspect of the present invention pertains to an implantable medical device for at least partially closing a portion of a vascular aneurysm. The treatment device includes a neck bridge having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The treatment device also includes an actuation mechanism operably attached to the neck bridge and configured to covert the neck bridge between the delivery configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has an elongated form, and the deployed configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has a constricted form.[0015]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1A and 1B are partially broken away side views of an aneurysm treatment device having a collapsible neck bridge, wherein FIG. 1A shows the collapsible neck bridge in a delivery configuration and FIG. 1B shows the collapsible neck bridge in a deployed configuration.[0016]
• FIGS.[0017]2A-2C are partially broken away side views that illustrate deployment of the aneurysm treatment device of FIGS. 1A and 1B within a vascular aneurysm.
• FIG. 2D is a partially broken away side view that illustrates delivery of an embolic agent through the aneurysm treatment device of FIGS. 1A and 1B.[0018]
• FIG. 2E is a partially broken away side view that illustrates detachment of the collapsible neck bridge of FIGS. 1A and 1B from an elongated delivery member.[0019]
• FIG. 3 is a partially broken away side view of an aneurysm treatment device that includes a sheath for encouraging an effective delivery of an embolic agent into an aneurysm.[0020]
• FIG. 4A is an accordion-shaped shape memory actuator having an elongated form.[0021]
• FIG. 4B is the accordion-shaped shape memory actuator of FIG. 4A but in a constricted form.[0022]
• FIG. 5A is a partially broken away side view of an aneurysm treatment device that incorporates the accordion-shaped shape memory actuator of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the aneurysm treatment device having a collapsible neck bridge that is depicted in a delivery configuration.[0023]
• FIG. 5B is a partially broken away side view that illustrates deployment of the aneurysm treatment device of FIG. 5A within a vascular aneurysm.[0024]
• FIG. 6A is a partially broken away side view of an aneurysm treatment device that incorporates a shape memory strut actuator, the aneurysm treatment device having a collapsible neck bridge that is depicted in the delivery configuration.[0025]
• FIG. 6B is a partially broken away side view of the aneurysm treatment device of FIG. 6A, but with the collapsible neck bridge depicted in the deployed configuration[0026]
• FIG. 7A is a perspective side view of a collapsible aneurysm obstruction device having a deployed configuration.[0027]
• FIG. 7B is a side view of the device of FIG. 7A but in a delivery configuration.[0028]
• FIG. 7C is a side view of the device of FIG. 7B but further incorporating the accordion-shaped shape memory actuator of FIGS. 4A and 4B.[0029]
• FIG. 7D is a partially broken away side view that illustrates deployment of the aneurysm treatment device of FIG. 7C within a vascular aneurysm.[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
• FIGS. 1A and 1B are partially broken away side views of an[0031]aneurysm treatment device10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A showstreatment device10 with aneck bridge12 in a delivery configuration, while FIG. 1B showsdevice10 withcollapsible neck bridge12 in a deployed configuration. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 1A are also used in FIG. 1B for elements that are the same or similar in both drawings.
• The FIG. 1A delivery configuration is illustratively designed to facilitate smooth and efficient intravascular delivery of[0032]treatment device10 to an internal location proximate an aneurysm. In the FIG. 1A delivery configuration,collapsible neck bridge12 is of a size and overall flexibility to accommodate effective and efficient intravascular delivery to an aneurysm site. Also, whenneck bridge12 is in the delivery configuration, it is of a size and overall flexibility to be deliverable through a tubular delivery device, such as through a delivery catheter (not illustrated). Delivery and subsequent deployment ofdevice10 will be described in greater detail in relation to FIGS.2A-2C.
• [0033]Aneurysm treatment device10 illustratively includes anactuation mechanism14 that is operably attached tocollapsible neck bridge12 and is configured to convertcollapsible neck bridge12 between the delivery configuration of FIG. 1A and the deployed configuration of FIG. 1B. Whencollapsible neck bridge12 is in the FIG. 1A delivery configuration,actuation mechanism14 illustratively has the depicted elongated form. Whencollapsible neck bridge12 is in the FIG. 1B deployed configuration,actuation mechanism14 illustratively has the depicted constricted form.
• In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,[0034]neck bridge12 and attachedactuation mechanism14 are implantable within an aneurysm. To accommodate intravascular delivery of these implantable elements, anelongated delivery member16 is detachably connected toactuation mechanism14. Alternatively, the detachable connection could be made tocollapsible neck bridge12.Elongated delivery member16 is illustratively a microcatheter and includes ahollow portion18 through which different items or materials, such as embolic agents or aguide wire20, can be transferred or delivered.Guide wire20 is a known element for use in intravascular navigation and can optionally be incorporated into the present invention to facilitate delivery ofdevice10 to an internal site proximate an aneurysm.Guide wire20 illustratively extends through a lumen that is continuous throughdelivery member16, joint30 (described in more detail below), through apertures in neck bridge12 (described in more detail below), and throughactuation mechanism14.
• Radio opaque band or[0035]marker22 located on adistal end26 ofelongated delivery member16, as is known in the art, could optionally be incorporated intodevice10 to assist in the guidance ofelongated delivery member16 through a vascular system utilizing principles radiography or fluoroscopy. Alternatively or additionally, a different radio opaque band ormarker24 could illustratively be included on adistal end28 ofcollapsible neck bridge12 and could be utilized for similar internal navigation purposes.
• In accordance with one embodiment, attachment between[0036]elongated delivery member16 and actuation mechanism14 (or betweenmember16 and collapsible neck bridge12) is of a detachable nature. Illustratively,aneurysm treatment device10 includes a severable joint30 to facilitate detachment. Severable joint30 includes means for severingelongated delivery member16 fromcollapsible neck bridge12 andactuation mechanism14. The severing action of joint30 illustratively enablescollapsible neck bridge12 andactuation mechanism14 to remain implanted within an aneurysm (illustratively in the FIG. 1B deployed position) after most or all other elements, includingguidewire20 andelongated delivery member16, have been removed from the associated vascular system. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, severable joint30 causes severance via mechanical means or via a known electrolytic dissolution of a sacrificial joint. Means other than mechanical or electrolytic, however, should be considered within the scope of the present invention. For the purpose of simplifying description, it will be assumed that severable joint30 is an electrolytically severable joint. It should be noted that the Figures reflect this embodiment of the present invention. Illustratively, joint30 alone is constructed of a material susceptible to electrolytic dissolution in blood and dissolves in response to an intentionally timed and applied electrolytic signal.
• In accordance with the embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B,[0037]actuation mechanism14 is a resilient member operably disposed to biascollapsible neck bridge12 toward the deployed configuration of FIG. 1B. In the FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B embodiments,actuation mechanism14 is illustrated as being a spring. Illustratively, the spring is constructed of a flexible metallic or plastic material. Other similar resilient members including but not limited to other springs, flexible or elastic straps, or other resilient components (i.e., structures constructed of sponge-like material, rubber, a flexible polymeric material, a plastic material, etc.) should be considered within the scope of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment, a material having shape memory characteristics could be utilized to form an appropriate resilient member.
• In accordance with the FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B embodiments of the present invention,[0038]actuation mechanism14 is located inside ofcollapsible neck bridge12 and defines a lumen or cylindrical hollow column therethrough.Collapsible neck bridge12 illustratively includes adistal aperture32 and aproximal aperture34 formed therein. The lumen defined withinactuation mechanism14 illustratively is substantially aligned in the same axis asdistal aperture32 andproximal aperture34.Actuation mechanism14 includes afirst end36 connected proximate todistal aperture32 and asecond end38 connected proximate toproximal aperture34. Illustratively, whencollapsible neck bridge12 is in the FIG. 1A delivery configuration,distal aperture32 andproximal aperture34 are spaced apart afirst distance40. Whencollapsible neck bridge12 is in the FIG. 1B deployed configuration,distal aperture32 andproximal aperture34 are spaced apart asecond distance42 that is less thanfirst distance40.
• In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,[0039]guide wire20 is a first elongate member that slidably extends throughhollow portion18 ofelongated delivery member16, through an opening formed indistal end26 ofdelivery member16, through a hollow joint30, throughproximal aperture34 inneck bridge12, through the lumen formed inactuation mechanism14 and outdistal aperture32 inneck bridge12.Optional markers22 and24 are configured so as to not interfere with such an extension ofguide wire20. Illustratively, an operator ofdevice10 has control ofguide wire20 from a proximal end thereof and can extend or withdrawguide wire20 as desired.
• In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a second elongate member[0040]44 (second in relation to guidewire20, which is the first elongate member) has aball valve46 connected to adistal end48 thereof. The secondelongate member44 andball valve46 coaxially and slidably engageguide wire20. Illustratively, secondelongate member44 andball valve46 are extendable throughdevice10, similar to guidewire20, except thatball valve46 is sized so as to engage an area insideneck bridge12proximate aperture32. For example,ball valve46 might engage a material terminus formed byneck bridge12 material, an intentionally sized and positioned metal ring (not illustrated), ormarker24. Regardless of the precise structural arrangement, conceptually,ball valve46 and secondelongate member44 are illustratively not permitted to extend throughdistal aperture32.
• Accordingly, because actuation mechanism[0041]14 (i.e., a resilient member) is configured to biasneck bridge12 toward the FIG. 1B deployed configuration, an operator having control (i.e., from a proximal end of elongated member44) can convertdevice10 between the FIG. 1A delivery configuration and the FIG. 1B deployed configuration. To do so, the operator need simply vary the amount of pressure applied byball valve46 against the area proximatedistal aperture32. This system of control is apparent in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B in that in FIG. 1A,ball valve46 is illustratively engaging an area insideneck bridge12 proximatedistal aperture32 and is illustratively being supplied with enough pressure to overcome the bias ofactuation mechanism14 andplace neck bridge12 anddevice10 in the illustrated delivery configuration. Conversely, in FIG. 1B,ball valve46 has been withdrawn fromactuation mechanism14, thereby enabling conversion to the illustrated deployed configuration. It should be noted thatguide wire20 is an optional element and that secondelongate member44 could perform the conversion function without existence or assistance fromguide wire20.
• It should be pointed out that when[0042]neck bridge12 anddevice10 are in the FIG. 1B deployed configuration,neck bridge12 is illustratively approximately disc-shaped and of a size and overall flexibility to be lodged at the neck portion of an aneurysm (described in more detail in relation to FIGS.2A-2E). In accordance with one embodiment,neck bridge12 is intentionally designed to have a diameter significantly greater than the diameter of a targeted aneurysm neck opening. In accordance with one embodiment, as is illustrated by FIG. 1B, a deployedneck bridge12 can take the form of a double-layered aneurysm occlusion member. Accordingly, because the occlusion member is double-layered, the material incorporated intoneck bridge12, illustratively material48 can be light weight or at least less bulky than would be necessary for a single layer aneurysm obstruction device. The present design enables a light weight material to be streamlined during delivery and yet still form a solid, potentially two-layered, occlusion in an implanted delivery configuration. In accordance with one embodiment,material48 is permeable to blood flow. In accordance with other embodiments,material48 is a mesh material or a braided polymeric or metal material.
• In accordance with one embodiment,[0043]material48 is a bio-compatible fabric-like material, such as a braided or woven polymeric material. Illustratively, whether in a fabric-like form or not,material48 may be constructed with polymers that include but are not limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyamides such as Nylon, polyurethanes, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alchohols, polyvinylacetate, cellulose acetate, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terphthalate (Dacron), silk, cotton, and the like. In accordance with one embodiment,material48 can be constructed with biodegradable material, such as (but not limited to) polylatic acid or polyglycolic acid. The above listed material are only examples of the broad range of materials that could be incorporated intomaterial48. In accordance with one embodiment, a radio-opaque material is woven or otherwise incorporated into material48 (i.e., tantulum platinum, gold, etc.) to facilitate and assist in guidance through a vascular system utilizing principles of radiography or fluoroscopy.
• FIGS.[0044]2A-2C are partially broken away side views that illustrate deployment of theaneurysm treatment device10 within avascular aneurysm50. The same reference numerals used in FIGS.2A-2C for elements that are the same or similar to elements previously described in relation to other Figures. Also, numerals used to identify newly described elements in FIG. 2A are similarly numbered and represent the same or similar elements in FIGS. 2B and 2C, and subsequently in FIGS. 2D and 2E.
• FIG. 2A illustrates a partially sectioned view of an[0045]aneurysm50 emanating from the wall of a feedingvessel52. Illustratively,guide wire20 extends through aneck portion51 ofaneurysm50.Guide wire20 can be utilized to assist in the delivery of aneurysm treatment device to a site withinaneurysm50. In accordance with one embodiment,guide wire20 is placed in the vasculature first. Once the distal end ofguide wire20 is moved past theaneurysm neck51,elongated delivery member16 is advanced overguide wire20 untilaneurysm treatment device10 is in place withinaneurysm50. Other methods of intravascular delivery, with and without incorporation of a guide wire, are known in the art and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.Markers22 and24, as is known in the art, are illustratively radio-opaque bands or markers that can be utilized to assist in the guidance ofdevice10 through a vascular system utilizing principles of radiography or fluoroscopy.
• In FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, second[0046]elongate member44 andball valve46 are operated as described above to maintain thecollapsible neck bridge12 in a streamlined, low profile, delivery configuration during insertion and manipulation ofdevice10 withinaneurysm50.
• FIG. 2B shows that[0047]treatment device10 has been positioned throughvessel52 andneck51 into a sac portion ofaneurysm50. At this point, secondelongate member44 andball valve46 can be withdrawn, as described above, tocovert neck bridge12 to a deployed configuration.Guide wire20, if being utilized, can also be withdrawn.
• FIG. 2C shows that[0048]treatment device10 has been converted to a deployed configuration following withdrawal of secondelongated member44 andball valve46. As is illustrated,neck bridge12, in the deployed configuration, obstructs (or at least partially closes)neck51 ofaneurysm50. It should be noted that whileaneurysm50 is generally illustrated as a symmetrically shaped aneurysm, asymmetrically shaped aneurysms having a variety ofneck51 shapes could be treated utilizing the teachings of the present invention.
• Referring to FIG. 1B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when[0049]collapsible neck bridge12 is in the deployed configuration andactuation mechanism14 is therefore constricted,actuation mechanism14 forms a conduit through which an embolic agent or other aneurysm treatment device can be delivered to a location within an aneurysm. As described above in relation to guidewire20, there is illustratively a continuous hollow or open chamber or lumen through elongateddelivery member16, joint30 andneck bridge12. This chamber, in combination with the conduit formed by thecollapsed actuation mechanism14 illustratively creates an effective and appropriate path for an operator ofdevice10 to deliver materials throughelongated delivery member16 and directly into an aneurysm. This direct delivery of an embolic or other treatment device, combined with containment of the treatment agent byneck bridge12, is of particular benefit because the treatment device delivered into the aneurysm is allowed to closely conform to the actual interior of the aneurysm, rather than having to conform to the aneurysm through a bulky aneurysm liner.
• In accordance with another embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 1B, embolic or other aneurysm treatment devices can be alternatively delivered to an interior portion of an aneurysm. Illustratively,[0050]ball valve46 can be brought into adjacent contact withaperture32 in a constrictedneck bridge12. Embolic or other material can then illustratively be delivered through a lumen, formed within secondelongate member44, to a location within the interior of an aneurysm. Illustratively,guide wire20 could be removed frommember44 to facilitate this type of material delivery.
• FIG. 2D is a partially broken away side view that illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, wherein an embolic agent or another aneurysm treatment device can be delivered to a location within[0051]aneurysm50. Similar elements are similarly numbered in FIG. 2D to reflect elements described in relation to the previous Figures. Illustratively, a plurality of occlusion coils54 have been delivered, along the path demonstrated byarrows56, throughelongated delivery member16, through joint30, through the conduit formed by retractedactuation mechanism14, through the above described apertures inneck bridge12 and intoaneurysm50. Deliverable embolic and aneurysm treatment devices other than occlusive coils, of course, are within the scope of the present invention and can be similarly delivered. Other deliverable agents include but are not limited to coils of many shapes and sizes, particles, liquids, and supporting members. Illustratively, joint30 can be severed as described above to leaveactuation mechanism14 andneck bridge12 in a secure implanted state. Illustratively, as described above, an electrolytic signal could be transferred through the blood invessel52 so as to dissolve joint30.
• FIG. 2E is a partially broken away side view that illustrates[0052]actuation mechanism14 andneck bridge12 following implantation and following removal of non-implanted elements from the vascular system. Similar elements are similarly numbered in FIG. 2D to reflect elements described in relation to the previous Figures. Illustratively, the plurality of occlusion coils54 are contained withinaneurysm50 by the implanted elements ofaneurysm treatment device10.Delivery member16 is illustratively removed fromvessel52.
• FIG. 3 is a partially broken away side view of an[0053]aneurysm treatment device10 that includes asheath portion58. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 3 for elements that are the same or similar to those elements described in relation to the previous Figures. Illustratively, the primary purpose ofsheath58 is to facilitate delivery of liquid embolic agents, or other deliverable aneurysm treatments, that might disadvantageously leak from or escapedevice10 during delivery. In particular, there is a risk that such agents might escape fromdevice10 through areas proximate joint30. To discourage leaks in that area, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,sheath58 bridges betweenhollow portion18 ofelongated delivery member16 and the conduit formed byactivation mechanism14 in the constricted configuration. In accordance with one embodiment,sheath58 is removed withdelivery member16 following detachment of joint30. In accordance with another embodiment,sheath58 stays withactivation mechanism14 following detachment and is configured to collapse and sealproximal aperture34 inneck bridge12.
• In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the above described[0054]actuation mechanism14, rather than being a resilient member that physicallybiases neck bridge12 andtreatment device10 toward a deployed configuration, is an actuation mechanism constructed of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material.
• As will be described below, replacing a physically biasing[0055]actuation mechanism14 with an actuation mechanism constructed of a SMP material enables conversion of atreatment device10, such as the above-described conversion between the elongated and constricted forms ofneck bridge12, to be temperature-based rather than mechanically-based. Switching to temperature-based actuation effectively enables the elimination of secondelongated member44 and ball valve46 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) from the above-described embodiments.
• In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of an accordion-shaped[0056]shape memory actuator60 constructed of SMP material, wherein FIG. 4A showsactuator60 having an elongated form and FIG. 4B showsactuator60 having a constricted form. The FIG. 4A elongated form ofactuator60 illustratively represents the form ofactuator60 when at a temperature below a predetermined transition temperature. The FIG. 4B constricted form ofactuator60 illustratively represents the form ofactuator60 after the temperature ofactuator60 has been raised above the transition temperature. In accordance with one embodiment, after actuator60 has converted into the FIG. 4B constricted form,actuator60 remains in the constricted form regardless of subsequent temperature changes. In accordance with known methods,actuator60 can originally be formed in the FIG. 4B constricted form via injection mold or clip processes in order to facilitate subsequent transformation back to the FIG. 4B constricted form from a FIG. 4A elongated form. It should be noted that the accordion shape ofactuator60 is only illustrative of the many potential shapes that could be utilized in forming SMP material into anactuator60 configuration. In accordance with one embodiment,actuator60 has a hollow core or lumen completely extending through a center axis thereof. In accordance with one embodiment,actuator60, except for the described different means of actuation, is configured to operate withindevice10 in a manner similar or identical to the operation ofactuation mechanism14 described above.
• FIG. 5A is a partially broken away side view of an[0057]aneurysm treatment device10 that incorporates the accordion-shapedSMP material actuator60 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 5A for elements that are the same or similar to those elements described in relation to the previous Figures.
• [0058]Treatment device10, in FIG. 5A, is substantially the same as described above but incorporates accordion-shaped, temperature-basedactuator60, rather than a mechanical resilient member. Accordingly,actuator60 can convert from the illustrated elongated form to a constricted form, andneck bridge12 can convert from the illustrated delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, without a mechanical pushing device, such as previously described second elongated member44 (FIGS. 1A and 1B). Whendevice10 is within a vascular system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, conversion ofactuator60 from the illustrated elongated form to a constricted form, and conversion ofneck bridge12 from the illustrated delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, can be accomplished by raising the temperature ofactuator60 above a transition temperature. Illustratively, although it could be otherwise accomplished, the temperature raise could be accomplished by transferring a warm bolus of saline to an internal environmentproximate device10 andactuator60. The precise value of the transition temperature is dependent upon the particular incorporated SMP material and can illustratively be desirably selected by desirably selecting an SMP material.
• FIG. 5B is a partially broken away side view of the[0059]treatment device10 of FIG. 5A and illustrates deployment withinaneurysm50. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 5A for elements that are the same or similar to those elements described in relation to the previous Figures.
• In FIG. 5B, the temperature of[0060]actuator60 has illustratively been raised above the transition temperature andneck bridge12 has illustratively taken a deployed configuration so as to at least partially obstructneck51 ofaneurysm50. Illustratively, an embolic agent or other treatment devices could be delivered throughelongated delivery member16 and through the components oftreatment device10, includingactuator60, along the path oflines56 and intoaneurysm50. Illustratively, joint30 can be severed as described above to leaveactuation mechanism14 andneck bridge12 in an implanted state, following removal ofdelivery member16 from the associated vascular system.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B are partially broken away side views of embodiments of the present invention, wherein[0061]aneurysm treatment device10 incorporates a SMP material-based actuator having a plurality of SMP material struts62. The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 6A and 6B for elements that are the same or similar to those elements described in relation to the previous Figures.
• FIG. 6A illustrates[0062]collapsible neck bridge12 in a delivery configuration and SMP material struts62 in an elongated form, before the temperature of material struts62 has been raised above a transition temperature. FIG. 6B illustratescollapsible neck bridge12 in a deployed configuration and SMP material struts62 in a constricted form, after the temperature of material struts62 has been raised above a transition temperature. Illustratively, conversion from the FIG. 6A delivery configuration to the FIG. 6B deployed configuration takes place within an aneurysm. It should be noted that similar to previously described embodiments,device10 in the FIG. 6B deployed configuration includes a continuous lumen or path through which embolic or other aneurysm treatment agents can be transferred into an aneurysm. Illustratively, constricted struts62 form a path for delivery throughneck bridge12.
• In accordance with one embodiment, the treatment device of FIGS. 6A and 6B operate in substantially the same manner as the treatment device of FIGS. 5A and 5B, except that the FIG. 5 embodiment incorporates accordion-shaped[0063]SMP material actuator60 and the FIG. 6 embodiment incorporates strut-shaped SMP material actuator struts62. The primary difference is illustratively in the shape and configuration of the incorporated shape memory actuator. In accordance with one embodiment, embolic agents or other treatment devices can be delivered through both the FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 embodiments. The construction of the incorporated shape memory actuator illustratively accommodates such delivery through therespective device10 in both embodiments.
• FIG. 7A is a perspective side view of a collapsible[0064]aneurysm obstruction device64 having an inverted parachute configuration. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 7A, as well as in subsequent FIGS.7B-7D, for elements that are the same or similar to those elements described in relation to the previous Figures.
• Referring to FIG. 7A, a single example of the many aneurysm treatment devices within which an actuating mechanism of the present invention could be incorporated is illustrated.[0065]Device64 includes radio-opaque bands ormarkers22 and24 that operate as described above. While bothmarker22 and24 are optional elements,marker22 illustratively serves as a connection point for a plurality ofstruts68 that extend from amaterial base66. In accordance with one embodiment, a connection point having non-marker characteristics could be substituted formarker22.Struts68 are illustratively connecting tethers. In accordance with one embodiment, struts68 are constructed of shape memory material. Illustratively, struts68 are utilized rather thanadditional material66 so as to eliminate some of the bulk ofdevice64. In accordance with one embodiment, a portion of eachstrut68 is woven intomaterial66. Material cut-outs70 are an optional element of the present invention and illustratively enable a further elimination of bulk from thetreatment device64.Material68 could illustratively be constructed of any of a number of materials suitable to obstruct the neck portion of an aneurysm. In accordance with one embodiment, the material utilized is permeable to blood flow.
• FIG. 7B is a side view of[0066]device64 after it has been collapsed into a delivery configuration and attached to anelongated delivery member16 by a detachable joint30. Elements having reference numerals similar to previously utilized reference numerals are the same or similar, and operate in a manner that is the same or similar, as compared to the previously labeled elements.
• FIG. 7C is a side view of the device of[0067]7B, but further comprisingSMP material actuator60 that operates as described above in relation to previous embodiments. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a resilient member similar toactuating mechanism14 described above (FIGS.1A and1B) or actuating struts62 described above (FIGS. 6A and 6B) could be substituted foractuator60. Illustratively,actuator60, or the other chosen incorporated actuating mechanism, can be utilized to convertdevice64 between a delivery configuration, as is illustrated in FIG. 7C and a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in FIG. 7D (described below). As described above, actuation could be temperature-based or mechanical-based, depending on the incorporated actuation mechanism.
• FIG. 7D is a partially broken away side view that illustrates deployment of[0068]device64 within ananeurysm50. Illustratively,treatment device64 operates in a manner similar to the above-described embodiments ofdevice10. Referring to FIG. 7D, in accordance with one embodiment, an embolic agent or other treatment agent can be delivered, along the path demonstrated byarrows56, through elongated delivery member, through joint30 (a detachment point), through a conduit formed through a retracteddevice64 and intoaneurysm50.
• Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.[0069]

Claims (1)

What is claimed is:

1. An aneurysm treatment device for at least partially closing a portion of a vascular aneurysm, comprising:

a neck bridge having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration;

an actuation mechanism operably attached to the neck bridge and configured to convert the neck bridge between the delivery configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has an elongated form, and the deployed configuration, wherein the actuation mechanism has a constricted form.

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