Intravascular flow modifier and reinforcement device

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to an intravascular flow modifier and reinforcement device for use within a body vessel, and more particularly, for a device to be used in combination with vasoocclusive devices placed in an aneurysm for the purpose of occluding an aneurysm, whereby the invention provides reinforcement for the area of the blood vessel in the vicinity of the aneurysm.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deployed device configured according to the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the deployed device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a plan view of a partially deployed device of the invention.

#As shown in the exemplary drawings, which are provided for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the device of the present invention is designed to be deployed intravascularly without the necessity of balloons or other expansive elements and can be deployed from a micro-catheter directly into the area to be treated. The intravascular device of the present invention is particularly useful for treatment of damaged arteries incorporating aneurysms and the like, particularly those which are treatable by the use of embolic coils or other embolic devices or agents used to occlude the aneurysm. More particularly, the device of the invention is particularly well adapted to use with the types of catheters used to place such embolic coils in aneurysms, and the device may be used to reinforce the area in the vicinity of the aneurysm while allowing placement of one or more embolic coils through the gaps in the stent, while assisting in the retention of the embolic devices within the dome of the aneurysm.

#As illustrated in FIG. 1, one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 can be configured as a series of circumferential loops 12 connected by longitudinal connecting sections 14 to progressively form an essentially cylindrical intravascular device 10 out of a single loop of wire. More specifically, the device is configured of a single piece of wire in which the free ends are placed in close proximity and a first linear section 16 extends axially, and in which the linear wire sections 14 are parallel and longitudinal with the ultimate approximately cylindrical configuration of the device. The wire is then formed into a pair of circumferential sections 12 extending in semi-circular arcs to a position in which a transition into a second pair of parallel elements 14 are formed for a second distance 18 at which they transition back to another pair of circumferential loops 12 and then proceeding sequentially in such a sequence towards an end loop 20 forming the end of the stent. While this configuration is described in the context of a wire, those skilled in the art will realize that other configurations of the material used to form the device, including foils and laminates, are within the scope of the invention. In the presently preferred embodiment, the wire of the device is made of a superelastic material such as a nickel titanium alloy to allow for easy insertion of the device within the micro-catheter. Other materials, such as shape memory alloys, may also be used to provide for the dual purposes of ease of insertion into the micro-catheter and formation upon deployment into the desired shape of the device. One material that is contemplated as a wire from which the device can be made is a stranded cable including one or more radiopaque strands, or which has radiopaque markers deployed along its length. Such a stranded cable can be made of a variety of materials including stainless steel, shape memory alloy, shape memory polymer, superelastic alloy, platinum or the like or combinations thereof.

#The invention provides numerous important advantages in the treatment of vascular malformations, and particularly malformations which include the presence of aneurysms. Since the device does not represent an essentially solid tubular member, and does not require the use of a balloon or other mechanical device for deployment, it is capable of deployment from a micro-catheter which need not occlude the artery as it is put into a position from which to deploy the device. Furthermore, the device upon deployment can reinforce the artery without occluding access to the aneurysm, thus allowing the device to be deployed prior to the placement of embolic coils or the like in the aneurysms. Alternatively, depending on the nature of the vascular defect, the embolic coils or other embolic occlusive or other vasoocclusive devices can be placed and the device deployed thereafter to hold the devices in the aneurysm. By use of the invention, a variety of densities may be provided in the coil to coil distance, thus assisting in the treatment of different vascular malformations.