Systems and methods for severing occlusive elements from a delivery catheter
The present invention advantageously provides alternative systems and methods for severing implantable occlusive devices, particularly hydratable polymeric filaments, from delivery catheters during and/or subsequent to intraluminal delivery, advancement, and/or positioning of occluding filaments into treatment sites. One method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter comprises positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen and advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site. Energy is then transmitted to a severing element so as to break the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.
1 . A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:
positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;
advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;
transmitting energy to a severing element; and
breaking the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted energy heats the severing element.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the severing element is heated to a temperature in a range from about body temperature to about 700° F.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the breaking is performed using the heated severing element.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the severing element comprises a constricting loop.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the severing element comprises a tensioning wire.
7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the severing element comprises a looped wire.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein heating changes a length or shape of the severing element.
9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the severing element traverses across an axis of the occlusive element.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted energy comprises electrical current.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted energy comprises radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, or ultrasound energy.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is transmitted in bipolar or monopolar operation.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein energy is transmitted before or during breaking the occlusive element.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the breaking is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising hydrating the filament prior to breaking the occlusive element.
20 . A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:
a delivery catheter;
an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter; and
an energy source in communication with the severing device.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the severing device comprises a wire constricting loop.
22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the severing device comprises a tensioning wire.
23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the severing device comprises a looped wire.
24 . The system of claim 21 , 22 , or 23 , wherein the wire comprises superelastic metal or shape memory alloy.
25 . The system of claim 21 , 22 , or 23 , wherein at least a proximal portion of the wire is insulated.
26 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the severing device is at least partially integrated into a wall of the delivery catheter.
27 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the severing device is at least partially integrated into a braided structure of the delivery catheter.
28 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the energy source comprises an electrical conductor, battery, or generator.
29 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the energy source transmits electrical current so as to heat the severing device.
30 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the energy source transmits radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, or ultrasound energy so as to heat the severing element.
31 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the energy source further comprises bipolar or monopolar connections.
32 . The system of claim 20 , further comprising an occlusive element disposed within the delivery catheter.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.
34 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.
35 . A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:
positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;
advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;
winding a looped severing element; and
breaking the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein winding is performed by rotating a mandrel so that the severing loop winds onto the mandrel.
37 . The method of claim 35 , wherein winding reduces a diameter of the severing loop.
38 . The method of claim 37 , wherein breaking is performed using the looped severing element.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the severing element traverses across an axis of the occlusive element.
40 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the breaking is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.
41 . The method of claim 35 , wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.
42 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.
43 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.
44 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.
45 . The method of claim 44 , further comprising hydrating the filament prior to breaking the occlusive element.
46 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising heating the looped severing element.
47 . A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:
a delivery catheter; and
an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter, wherein the severing device comprises a looped wire wound on a mandrel.
48 . The system of claim 47 , wherein the looped wire comprises superelastic metal or shape memory alloy.
49 . The system of claim 47 , wherein the mandrel comprises a wire having a thickness that is larger than that of the looped wire.
50 . The system of claim 47 , wherein the severing device is at least partially disposed within a first lumen of the delivery catheter.
51 . The system of claim 50 , further comprising an occlusive element disposed within a second lumen of the delivery catheter.
52 . The system of claim 51 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.
53 . The system of claim 52 , wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.
54 . The system of claim 47 , further comprising an energy source in communication with the severing device
55 . A method for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the method comprising:
positioning a delivery catheter in a body lumen;
advancing at least one occlusive element to a target site;
inflating a pair of cuffs having axially offset ridges; and
severing the occlusive element at a selected location along a length thereof for its release to the target site.
56 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the severing is performed by pinching the occlusive element at the selected location between the axially offset ridges.
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the inflated cuffs prevent further noodle advancement.
58 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the severing is performed at a distal end of the delivery catheter.
59 . The method of claim 55 , wherein advancing comprises pulling, pushing, or injecting the occlusive element to the target site.
60 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the target site comprises an aneurysm.
61 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the target site comprises vasculature of a tumor.
62 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament.
63 . The method of claim 62 , further comprising hydrating the filament prior to severing the occlusive element.
64 . A system for severing an occlusive element from an intraluminal delivery catheter, the system comprising:
a delivery catheter; and
an occlusive element severing device disposed within the delivery catheter, wherein the severing device comprises a pair of inflatable cuffs having ridges that are axially offset.
65 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the inflatable cuffs comprise elastomeric material.
66 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the inflatable cuffs are formed integrally with an inner sleeve of the delivery catheter.
67 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the axially offset ridges form sharpened peaks.
68 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising an occlusive element disposed within the delivery catheter.
69 . The system of claim 68 , wherein the occlusive element comprises a filament that is hydratable.
70 . The system of claim 69 , wherein the filament comprises a polymeric gel.