METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF VASCULAR DEFECTS
An expandable support structure and methods of use for treatment of a patient's cerebral aneurysm are described. The support structure includes a plurality of elongate support members each having first and second ends that are both gathered at the first end of the support structure. Each elongate support member starts at the first end of the support structure, extends to an apex at the second end of the support structure, and extends back to the first end of the support structure. The support structure has a low profile, radially constrained state having a low profile suitable for delivery from a microcatheter. The support structure also has an expanded relaxed state that defines a substantially globular shape. In the expanded relaxed state, the apices of the elongate support members are arranged to define an open distal end.
1 . An expandable support structure for treatment of a cerebral aneurysm, comprising:
a plurality of elongate support members each having first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends of the elongate support members are gathered at the first end of the support structure, wherein each elongate support member starts at the first end of the support structure, extends to an apex at the second end of the support structure, and extends back to the first end of the support structure;
wherein the support structure has a low profile, radially constrained state with an elongated tubular configuration having a transverse dimension, the radially constrained state having a low profile suitable for delivery from a microcatheter, and
wherein the support structure also has an expanded relaxed state that defines a substantially globular shape, wherein the apices of the elongate support members are arranged to define an open distal end.
2 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , wherein each elongate support member forms a loop.
3 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , wherein the apices of the elongate support members are not fixedly secured together.
4 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , further comprising a hub, wherein the first and second ends of the elongate support members are gathered at the hub.
5 . The expandable support structure of claim 4 , wherein the hub is a ring.
6 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members are a plurality of wires.
7 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members are a plurality of struts.
8 . The expandable support structure of claim 1 , wherein the elongate support members have a transverse dimension of about 0.001 inches to about 0.015 inches.
9 . The expandable structure of claim 1 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a superelastic alloy.
10 . The expandable structure of claim 1 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a shape memory metal.
11 . The expandable structure of claim 1 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a nickel titanium alloy.
12 . The expandable structure of claim 1 , wherein the transverse dimension of the radially constrained state is about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm.
13 . The expandable structure of claim 1 , wherein the transverse dimension of the expanded relaxed state is about 4 mm to about 30 mm.
14 . A method of treating a cerebral aneurysm having a dome, comprising the steps of:
providing an expandable support structure, comprising:
a plurality of elongate support members each having first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends of the elongate support members are gathered at the first end of the support structure, wherein each elongate support member starts at the first end of the support structure, extends to an apex at the second end of the support structure, and extends back to the first end of the support structure;
wherein the support structure has a low profile, radially constrained state with an elongated tubular configuration having a transverse dimension, the radially constrained state having a low profile suitable for delivery from a microcatheter, and
wherein the support structure also has an expanded relaxed state that defines a substantially globular shape, wherein the apices of the elongate support members are arranged to define an open distal end;
advancing the support structure in the radially constrained state within a microcatheter to a region of interest within a cerebral artery; and
deploying the support structure within the cerebral aneurysm, wherein the support structure expands to the expanded relaxed state within the cerebral aneurysm, wherein the open distal end is positioned in the dome of the cerebral aneurysm.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each elongate support member forms a loop.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the apices of the elongate support members are not fixedly secured together.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the support structure further comprises a hub, wherein the first and second ends of the elongate support members are gathered at the hub.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the hub is a ring.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the support structure, when in the expanded relaxed state, defines a substantially globular, hollow shape.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members are a plurality of wires.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members are a plurality of struts.
22 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the elongate support members have a transverse dimension of about 0.001 inches to about 0.015 inches.
23 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a superelastic alloy.
24 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a shape memory metal.
25 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the elongate support members comprise a nickel titanium alloy.
26 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the transverse dimension of the radially constrained state is about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm.
27 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the transverse dimension of the expanded relaxed state is about 4 mm to about 30 mm.