Detachable-tip balloon microcatheter for embolization of vascular pathology

A detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter for delivering an embolic agent to a target location for embolization of an AVM comprising:

• a balloon microcatheter including a first shaft and an inflatable balloon that is coupled to a distal end portion of the first shaft;
• a detachable tip assembly that is configured to be detachably coupled to the first shaft of the balloon microcatheter, the detachable tip assembly including a protective balloon sheath that is coupled to a proximal end portion of the second shaft, wherein when the detachable tip assembly is coupled to the balloon microcatheter, the protective balloon sheath surrounds at least a distal end portion of the inflatable balloon;
• and
• a detachment mechanism for controllably detaching the balloon microcatheter from the detachable tip assembly after expansion of the protective balloon sheath and deflation of the inflatable balloon.

A method for performing an embolization of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) comprising the steps of:

• delivering a detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter with a detachable tip assembly to a target site at which the AVM is located, the detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter having a main catheter with an inflatable balloon and the detachable tip assembly having a protective balloon sheath that at least partially surrounds a distal end portion of the inflatable balloon when the main catheter is coupled to the detachable tip assembly;
• inflating the inflatable balloon resulting in expansion of the protective sheath about the inflatable balloon so as to shield the inflatable balloon;
• delivering an embolic agent through the detachable tip sheathed balloon microcatheter to the AVM so as to form a cast about the protective balloon sheath which shields the inflatable balloon from the embolic agent;
• deflating the inflatable balloon;
• and
• detaching the detachable tip assembly from the main catheter and retracting the main catheter while the detachable tip assembly remains at the target site.