METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DEPLOYMENT INTO A LUMEN
The invention described is directed to an intracorporeal occluding device having elements with non-traumatic ends and devices, systems and methods for occluding the lumens of anatomical passageways and/or for delivering drugs or other substances to the bodies of human or animal subjects.
1 . An occluding member for a patient's reproductive lumen having at least one segment with a first contracted configuration and a second expanded configuration, comprising:
a. a first expansive element having a first end secured to a central location in the occluding member and a non-traumatic end radially spaced from the first end when in an expanded configuration; and
b. at least one additional expansive element having a first end secured to the central location in the occluding member and a non-traumatic end radially spaced from the central location in the expanded configuration.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the expansive elements has a first section extending from the first end of the element which is oriented toward a first end of the occluding device and a second section extending to the second end of the expansive element which is oriented toward a second end of the occluding device.
3 . The device of claim 2 wherein at least one of the first and second expansive sections of the expansive elements are straight.
4 . The device of claim 2 wherein at least one of the first and second expansive sections of the expansive elements are curved.
5 . The device of claim 2 wherein a least the first section of the first expansive member is oriented toward a first end of the occluding member and the first section of the second expansive element is oriented toward a second end of the occluding member.
6 . The device of claim 2 wherein the first and additional expansive elements are configured into a spider segment.
7 . The device of claim 6 having a plurality of axially aligned spider segments.
8 . The device of claim 1 wherein the expansive elements are self expansive from a constricted configuration to an expanded configuration.
9 . The device of claim 8 wherein the expansive elements are formed at least in part of superelastic NiTi alloy which has a stable austenite phase at less than 40.degree. C. and which is in a martensite phase when in a constricted configuration.
10 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one non-traumatic end is ball-shaped.
11 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one non-traumatic end comprises contoured wire.
12 . The device of claim 11 wherein the contoured wire forms a sharp bend.
13 . The device of claim 11 wherein the contoured wire forms a rounded bend.
14 . The device of claim 11 wherein the contoured wire forms a coil.
15 . The device of claim 11 wherein the contoured wire is flat.
16 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one non-traumatic end is textured.
17 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one non-traumatic end comprises a pad.
18 . The device of claim 17 wherein the pad is molded.
19 . The device of claim 17 wherein the pad is a mesh.
20 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least one non-traumatic end is gripped.
21 .- 70 . (canceled)