Embolization systems

1. A bristle embolization device for delivery into a body lumen comprising a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outwardly from the stem wherein there are at least two different groups or types of bristles, wherein one group of bristles are aligned to point in a first longitudinal direction of the stem and another group of bristles are aligned to point in a second longitudinal direction of the stem which is opposite the first longitudinal direction, wherein at least one group of bristles is adapted for occlusion of a lumen to create an embolization, wherein at least one group of bristles are adapted for anchoring the bristle device in a body lumen, wherein the bristle embolization device has a surface area, and wherein lumen occlusion occurs due to thrombogenicity of the bristle embolization device which is a function of the surface area;

wherein the bristle embolization device has a length, L, and a diameter, Θ, the bristle embolization device having a length to diameter ratio of L/Θ of greater than or equal to 1.0; and

wherein the at least one group of bristles adapted for occlusion of a lumen are configured so that they are in circumferential contact with the lumen to occlude a cross sectional area of the lumen and to cause denudation of an endothelium layer of the lumen.

2. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein bristles of one group have a thickness which is different than the thickness of bristles of another group.

3. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein one group of bristles is of a different material than the material of another group of bristles.

4. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein one group of bristles is more flexible than another group of bristles.

5. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein one group of bristles are interspersed with another group of bristles.

6. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein the at least one group of bristles are adapted for anchoring the bristle device in a body lumen is provided at the proximal and/or distal end of the device.

7. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein the occlusion group of bristles are located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the bristle device.

8. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein some of the occluding group of bristles are interspersed with the anchoring group of bristles so that the number of occluding bristles increases form the distal end towards the proximal end of the device.

9. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein one group of bristles extend radially outwardly to one diameter and another group of bristles extend radially outwardly to another diameter which is different than the diameter of the first group of bristles.

10. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein one group of bristles are aligned differently than another group of bristles.

11. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the bristles are adapted for delivery of a therapeutic agent.

12. The bristle embolization device of claim 11 wherein the bristles adapted for delivery of a therapeutic agent are at least partially coated with a therapeutic agent.

13. The bristle embolization device of claim 11 wherein the bristles comprise striations and/or holes for containing a therapeutic agent.

14. A bristle embolization device loading system comprising:

a bristle device for delivery into a body lumen;

a loading tube; and

a loading element for loading the bristle device into the loading tube;

wherein the bristle device comprises a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outwardly from the stem, wherein there are at least two different groups or types of bristles, and wherein one group of bristles are aligned to point in a first longitudinal direction of the stem and another group of bristles are aligned to point in a second longitudinal direction of the stem which is opposite the first longitudinal direction, wherein at least one group of bristles is adapted for occlusion of a lumen to create an embolization, wherein at least one group of bristles are adapted for anchoring the bristle device in a body lumen, wherein the bristle embolization device has a surface area, and wherein lumen occlusion occurs due to thrombogenicity of the bristle embolization device which is a function of the surface area;

wherein the bristle embolization device has a length, L, and a diameter, Θ, the bristle embolization device having a length to diameter ratio of L/Θ of greater than or equal to 1.0; and

wherein the at least one group of bristles adapted for occlusion of a lumen are configured so that they are in circumferential contact with the lumen to occlude a cross sectional area of the lumen and to cause denudation of an endothelium layer of the lumen.

15. The bristle embolization device loading system of claim 14 wherein the loading element is detachably mountable to the bristle device.

16. The bristle embolization device loading system of claim 14 wherein the loading element comprises a loading wire.

17. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 wherein the stem comprises a flexible section.

18. The bristle embolization device loading system of claim 14 wherein the stem of the bristle device comprises a flexible section.

19. The bristle embolization device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one group of bristles adapted for anchoring the bristle device in a body lumen are configured so that while anchoring the device in a body lumen they do not perforate a lumen wall.

20. The bristle embolization device loading system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one group of bristles adapted for anchoring the bristle device in a body lumen are configured so that while anchoring the device in a body lumen they do not perforate a lumen wall.