Thin film medical device and delivery system
The present invention relates to an intraluminal thin film medical device particularly well suited for occlusion of an aneurysm, vessel side branch or dissection of a body lumen or duct, such as an artery or vein. The medical device has a thin film tube capable of being longitudinally stretched by the application of mechanical energy to achieve a smaller circumferential profile, and self-expand to the pre-stretched length and diameter upon release of the mechanical energy. To assist the thin film during expansion a plurality of slots are incised in the tube wall. The slots open and assist the thin film tube to longitudinally stretch, and substantially close when the thin film tube self-expands to the pre-stretched length and diameter.
1 . A medical device for occluding a body vessel comprising:
a thin film tube capable of being longitudinally stretched by the application of mechanical energy to achieve a smaller circumferential profile, and self-expand to the pre-stretched length and diameter upon release of the mechanical energy; and
a plurality of slots incised in the tube wall such the slots open and assist the thin film tube to longitudinally stretch, and substantially close when the thin film tube self-expands to the pre-stretched length and diameter.
2 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the thin film tube is made from a metallic thin film exhibiting super-elastic characteristics.
3 . The medical device of claim 2 wherein the metallic thin film is made from a Nickel Titanium alloy.
4 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the thin film tube is made from a psuedometalic thin film exhibiting super-elastic characteristics.
5 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the thin film tube is self-supporting.
6 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the thin film tube is fabricated as a single layer of material.
7 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the thin film tube is fabricated as a plurality of layers of material.
8 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the slots are incised completely through the tube wall thickness.
9 . The medical device of claim 1 wherein the slots are incised partially through the tube wall thickness.
10 . The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of apertures in the tube wall.
11 . The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a stent attached to the thin metallic film.
12 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the stent is attached to the thin metallic film by adhesion.
13 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the adhesion comprises use of a binder.
14 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the adhesion comprises use of heat.
15 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the adhesion comprises use of a chemical bonding agent.
16 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the adhesion comprises use of a mechanical means.
17 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the attachment between the stent and the thin metallic film is achieved by a radial force exerted by the stent along the interior surface of the thin metallic film tube.
18 . The medical device of claim 11 wherein the stent comprises at least one hoop structure extending between the stents proximal and distal ends.
19 . The medical device of claim 17 wherein the hoop structure comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged strut members and a plurality of loop members connecting adjacent struts.
20 . A medical device for occluding a body vessel comprising:
a thin film tube capable of being longitudinally stretched by the application of mechanical energy to achieve a smaller circumferential profile, and self-expand to the pre-stretched length and diameter upon release of the mechanical energy; and
a plurality of apertures incised in the tube wall such the apertures to assist the thin film tube to longitudinally stretch.
21 . A medical device for occluding a body vessel comprising:
a thin film tube capable of being longitudinally stretched by the application of mechanical energy to achieve a smaller circumferential profile, and self-expand to the pre-stretched length and diameter upon release of the mechanical energy; and
a stent attached to the interior surface of the thin metallic film.