Injection molded vaso-occlusive elements
View Patent ↗Compositions comprising injection-molded vaso-occlusive elements are described. Thus, one or more injection-molded elements are formed into a desired three-dimensional configuration. Each injection-molded element of the device may have a different shape, for example, ovoid, spherical, cylindral or pyramidal. The devices described herein may also be detachable linked to pusher element for placement in a body cavity. Also described are methods of making and using these elements.
1. A method for producing a vaso-occlusive element for use in occluding a vessel, the method comprising the step of injection molding an absorbable polymeric material into the three-dimensional configuration, wherein the three-dimensional configuration self-forms upon deployment or where the three-dimensional configuration does not change upon deployment into the vessel.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the absorbable material is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide, poly-L-lactide, poly(g-ethyl glutamates, polyphosphazene, polysaccharides, polyorthoesters, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, polydioxanone, polycarbonates, polyanhydrides, copolymers or blends thereof, collagen, elastin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, gelatin and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration comprises a cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal axis.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical configuration further includes a plurality of channels therein.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the channels are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration comprises a plurality of shaped structures linked in series.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the shaped elements are ovoid.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the shaped elements are spherical.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the shaped elements are conical or pyramidal.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration is a single-molded element.
11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration is formed from two or more separate elements.
12. The method of claim 6 , wherein the separate elements are linked by a polymeric wire or a ductile metallic wire.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing one or more severable junctions detachably connected to a pusher element.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the severable junction comprises an electrolytically detachable assembly adapted to detach by imposition of a current on said pusher element.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the severable junction comprises a mechanically detachable assembly adapted to detach by movement or pressure imposed on or within said pusher element.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the severable junction comprises a thermally detachable assembly adapted to detach by localized delivery of heat to said junction.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the severable junction comprises a radiation detachable assembly adapted to detach by delivery of electromagnetic radiation to said junction.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising micro-machining the injection-molded element.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising chemically etching the injection-molded element.
20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising laser cutting the injection-molded element.
21. The method of claim 1 , further comprising linking a plurality of the injection-molded elements.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the linking is by a method selected from the group consisting of soldering, interference fitting, friction fitting, stringing, ultrasonic welding, thermal welding and solvent bonding.
23. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of blending one or more radio-opaque materials with the polymer.
24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection molding comprises insert molding a metallic wire within the three-dimensional configuration.
25. A vaso-occlusive device produced by the method of claim 1 .
26. A vaso-occlusive device comprising at least one polymeric material, wherein said device is formed into a three-dimensional configuration and is adapted to be deployed into a body cavity in the three-dimensional configuration.
27. The vaso-occlusive device of claim 26 , wherein the vaso-occlusive device comprises at least one absorbable or biodegradable polymer.
28. The device of claim 27 , wherein the absorbable material is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide, poly-L-lactide, poly(g-ethyl glutamates, polyphosphazene, polysaccharides, polyorthoesters, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, polydioxanone, polycarbonates, polyanhydrides, copolymers or blends thereof, collagen, elastin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, gelatin and combinations thereof.
29. The device of claim 26 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration comprises a cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal axis.
30. The device of claim 29 , wherein the cylindrical configuration further includes a plurality of channels therein.
31. The device of claim 30 , wherein the channels are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.
32. The device of claim 26 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration comprises a plurality of shaped structures linked in series.
33. The device of claim 32 , wherein the shaped elements are ovoid.
34. The device of claim 32 , wherein the shaped elements are spherical.
35. The device of claim 32 , wherein the shaped elements are conical or pyramidal.
36. The device of claim 32 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration is a single-molded element.
37. The device of claim 32 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration is formed from two or more separate elements.
38. The device of claim 32 , wherein the separate elements are linked by a polymeric wire or a ductile metallic wire.
39. The device of claim 26 , further comprising the step of providing severable junction detachably connected to a pusher element.
40. The device of claim 39 , wherein the severable junction comprises an electrolytically detachable assembly adapted to detach by imposition of a current on said pusher element.
41. The device of claim 39 , wherein the severable junction comprises a mechanically detachable assembly adapted to detach by movement or pressure imposed on or within said pusher element.
42. The device of claim 39 , wherein the severable junction comprises a thermally detachable assembly adapted to detach by localized delivery of heat to said junction.
43. The device of claim 39 , wherein the severable junction comprises a radiation detachable assembly adapted to detach by delivery of electromagnetic radiation to said junction.
44. The device of claim 26 , further comprising a radio-opaque material.
45. The device of claim 44 , where the radio-opaque material is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, tungsten, bismuth oxide, barium sulfate, platinum, and gold.
46. The device of claim 26 , further comprising a bioactive material.
47. The device of claim 26 , produced by injection molding.
48. The device of claim 47 , wherein the device is micro-machined.