Cerebral vasculature device
Novel cerebral vasculature devices are disclosed, including thrombectomy removal devices that include a continuous braided structure, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a first expandable portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The braided structure includes a plurality of wires. The proximal portion and the distal portion include polymer imbedded at least partially into the braided structure. The device is useful for removing thrombus from a patient's vasculature.
1 . Cerebral vascular device comprising:
continuous braided structure comprising a plurality of wires, the braided structure having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first expandable portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion;
the proximal portion and the distal portion each having an outer diameter and an inner diameter and further including polymer imbedded at least partially into the braided structure;
core wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the core wire located within the lumen and extending from the braided structure proximal portion to a point at or distal to the braided structure distal portion; and
atraumatic component attached to the core wire distal end and having an outer diameter at least equal to the inner diameter of the braided structure distal portion.
2 . The cerebral vascular device of claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic component is selected from the group consisting of polymer tubular structures and metal coils.
3 . The cerebral vascular device of claim 2 , wherein the metal coil comprises radioopaque material.
4 . The cerebral vascular device of claim 3 , wherein the radioopaque material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, iridium, and platinum/iridium alloy.
5 . The cerebral vascular device of claim 1 , wherein the braided structure proximal portion and distal portion have an outer diameter of about 0.020 inch or less.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the braided structure proximal portion and distal portion have an outer diameter of about 0.017 inch or less.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wires comprise metal wires.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of wires comprise nitinol.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyimide, peba, polyurethane, nylon, silicone, and polyethylene.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the polymer prevents radial expansion of the braided structure proximal portion and distal portion during expansion of the expandable portion.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the polymer substantially completely imbeds the proximal portion and the distal portion of the braided structure.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the braided structure is comprised of a plurality of wires selected from the group consisting of round profiles and flat profiles and combinations thereof.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the wires have a round profile.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein a majority of the wires have an outer diameter of about 0.002 inch or less.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein a majority of the wires have an outer diameter of about 0.0015 inch or less.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein a majority of the wires have an outer diameter of about 0.001 inch or less.
17 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wires comprises radioopaque material.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the radioopaque material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, iridium and platinum/iridium alloy.
19 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one radioopaque marker band.
20 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the device comprises at least 2 radioopaque marker bands.
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein at least one marker band is located distal to the expandable portion and at least one marker band is located proximal to the expandable portion.
22 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises radioopaque material.
23 . The device of claim 22 , wherein the radioopaque material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate and bismuth trioxide.
24 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the at least one radioopaque marker band is essentially flush with the outer diameter of the proximal and distal portions of the device.
25 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is attached to the distal end of a tubular structure.
26 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the tubular structure is a continuation of the proximal portion of the braided structure.
27 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the tubular structure has an outer diameter of about 0.020 inch or less.
28 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion has a length in its unexpanded state of about 1 cm or less.
29 . The device of claim 28 , wherein the expandable portion has a length of about 5 mm or less.
30 . The device of claim 29 , wherein the expandable portion has a length of about 4 mm.
31 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of wires numbers 48 wires or more.
32 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of wires numbers 32 wires or more.
33 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of wires numbers 16 wires or more.
34 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the braided structure comprises wires oriented at an angle of about less than or equal to 10 degrees as measured from the longitudinal axis of the braided structure.
35 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the braided structure comprises wires oriented at an angle of about less than or equal to 8 degrees as measured from the longitudinal axis of the braided structure.
36 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion has a diameter in its maximum expanded state of about 6 mm or less.
37 . The device of claim 36 , wherein the expandable portion has a diameter in its maximum expanded state of about 4 mm or less.
38 . The device of claim 37 , wherein the expandable portion has a diameter in its maximum expanded state of about 3.3 mm.
39 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the core wire extends for at least the length of the tubular structure.
40 . The device of claim 39 , wherein the combination of the core wire and the tubular structure has a change in flexibility from a proximal point to a distal point thereon.
41 . The device of claim 40 , wherein the distal point of the tubular structure is more flexible than the proximal point of the tubular structure.
42 . The device of claim 39 , wherein a handle is coupled to the core wire and the tubular structure, the handle providing for actuation of the expandable portion.
43 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion is atraumatic to a patient's vessel when in its maximum expanded state.
44 . The device of claim 43 , wherein the expandable portion is suitable for removing a clot from the patient's vessel.
45 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion has a maximum expanded diameter being equal to or larger than the diameter of the patient's target vessel.
46 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the braided structure further comprises a second expandable portion.
47 . The device of claim 46 , wherein the braided structure further comprises an intermediate portion located between the first expandable portion and the second expandable portion.
48 . The device of claim 47 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises polymer imbedded at least partially into the braided structure.
49 . The device of claim 47 , wherein the intermediate portion is radially constrained by a polymer covering.
50 . The device of claim 47 , wherein the intermediate portion is radially constrained by a metal band.
51 . The device of claim 47 , wherein the intermediate portion is of a higher braid angle than the expandable portions.
52 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the device and tubular member are sized to be suitable for delivery through a microcatheter.
53 . The device of claim 52 , wherein the device and tubular member do not impose bending force to a straight microcatheter.
54 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first expandable portion comprises a plurality of wires oriented at a first angle and at least a portion of the braided structure comprises wires oriented at a second angle different from the first angle.
55 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is removably attached to a distal end of a catheter shaft.
56 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion is provided with an outer polymer cover.
57 . The device of claim 56 , wherein the outer polymer cover comprises ePTFE.
58 . Method for making a cerebral vascular device comprising the steps of:
providing a continuous braided structure having a length, a lumen extending therethrough, and having polymer at least partially imbedded therein for substantially the entire length of the braided structure;
removing at least a portion of the polymer from the braided structure to form an expandable portion, a proximal portion having polymer at least partially imbedded therein and a distal portion having polymer at least partially imbedded therein, the expandable portion being located between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
attaching an atraumatic component to a core wire, the core wire having a proximal end and a distal end;
locating the core wire within the lumen, the core wire extending from the braided structure proximal portion to a point distal to the braided structure distal portion; and
wherein the atraumatic component has an outer diameter at least equal to the inner diameter of the braided structure distal portion.
59 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the polymer is provided by a dip-coating process.
60 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the polymer is removed by laser ablation.
61 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the polymer is removed by an abrasion process.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the abrasion process comprises using sodium bicarbonate.