Intrasacular Aneurysm Occlusion Device with a Proximal-to-Distal Stack of Shape-Changing Embolic Structures

1 . An intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device with a stack of embolic structures comprising:

a longitudinal catheter that is configured to be inserted into a blood vessel, wherein the catheter has a longitudinal axis spanning from its proximal end to its distal end and wherein the distal end is first inserted into the blood vessel; and

a plurality of longitudinally-linked configuration-changing embolic structures which are configured to travel through the longitudinal catheter and to be inserted into an aneurysm;

wherein each shape-changing embolic structure has its own internally-referenced Z axis, X axis, and Y axis; wherein its Z axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal catheter as the embolic structure travels through the longitudinal catheter, its X axis is substantially perpendicular to its Z axis, and its Y axis is substantially perpendicular to both its Z axis and X axis;

wherein each configuration-changing embolic structure has a first configuration as the member travels through the longitudinal catheter and a second configuration within the aneurysm after it exits the longitudinal catheter;

wherein the distance of the embolic structure spanning its Z axis is greater than the distance of the embolic structure spanning its X axis or Y axis in the first configuration;

wherein the distance of the embolic structure spanning its Z axis is less than the distance of the embolic structure spanning its X axis or Y axis in the second configuration;

wherein the cross-sectional shape of the embolic structure in an X-Z plane is substantially elliptical, oval, or another arcuate non-circular shape in the first configuration, with the longer dimension of the ellipse, oval, or another arcuate non-circular shape being along its Z axis; and

wherein the cross-sectional shape of the embolic structure in the X-Z plane is substantially elliptical, oval, or another arcuate non-circulate shape in the second configuration, with the longer dimension of the ellipse, oval, or another arcuate non-circular shape being along its X axis.

2 . An intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device with a stack of embolic structures comprising:

a proximal embolic structure which is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm sac at a first distance from the aneurysm neck;

a middle embolic structure which is configured to be deployed in the aneurysm sac at a second distance from the aneurysm neck; and

a distal embolic structure which is configured to be deployed in the aneurysm sac at a third distance from the aneurysm neck;

wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance;

wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance; and

wherein the centers of the proximal embolic structure, the middle embolic structure, and the distal embolic structure are linearly-aligned.

3 . The device in claim 2 wherein the proximal embolic structure, the middle embolic structure, and the distal embolic structure have ellipsoidal or oblate-spheroidal shapes.

4 . The device in claim 2 wherein a first subset of the embolic structures have ellipsoidal or oblate-spheroidal shapes and a second subset of the embolic structures have toroidal or doughnut shapes.

5 . The device in claim 2 wherein the proximal embolic structure, the middle embolic structure, and the distal embolic structure have tree ornament shapes, wherein a tree ornament shape is defined as: an ellipsoid with an upward-facing spire and a downward-facing spire; or a 3D revolution of a single phase of a sine wave or normal curve.

6 . The device in claim 2 wherein a first subset of the embolic structures have ellipsoidal or oblate-spheroidal shapes and a second subset of the embolic structures have tree-ornament shapes, wherein a tree ornament shape is defined as: an ellipsoid with an upward-facing spire and a downward-facing spire; or a 3D revolution of a single phase of a sine wave or normal curve.

7 . The device in claim 2 wherein the stack of embolic structures is shaped like a 3D revolution of two or more phases of a sine wave around its central longitudinal axis.

8 . The device in claim 2 wherein the proximal embolic structure is wider than the distal embolic structure.

9 . The device in claim 2 wherein the middle embolic structure is wider than the proximal embolic structure.

10 . The device in claim 2 wherein there is an opening in the proximal embolic structure through which embolic members and/or material is inserted into the interior of the proximal embolic structure.

11 . The device in claim 10 wherein embolic members and/or material is selected from the group consisting of: embolic coils, hydrogels, string-of-pearls embolic balls, and congealing material.

12 . The device in claim 2 wherein there is an opening in the middle embolic structure through which embolic members and/or material is inserted into the interior of the middle embolic structure.

13 . The device in claim 2 wherein there is an opening in the distal embolic structure through which embolic members and/or material is inserted into the interior of the distal embolic structure.

14 . The device in claim 10 wherein there is a valve in the opening.

15 . The device in claim 14 wherein the valve can be remotely closed by the device operator.

16 . The device in claim 2 wherein there is a wire through the center of proximal embolic structure and the device operator can control the amount of radial expansion of one or more of the embolic structures by moving the wire.

17 . An intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device with a stack of embolic structures comprising:

a catheter;

a tubular mesh; and

a plurality of bands, rings, and/or cylinders;

wherein the tubular mesh is radially-constrained by the bands, rings, and/or cylinders at multiple locations along its longitudinal axis to create a stack of embolic structures;

wherein the embolic structures are lobes, bulges, and/or segments of the tubular mesh; and

wherein the stack of embolic structures is configured to be radially-compressed and longitudinally-extended for delivery through the catheter into an aneurysm sac and then radially-expanded and longitudinally-contracted within the aneurysm sac.

18 . The device in claim 17 wherein the embolic structures are spherical before they are inserted into the catheter.

19 . The device in claim 17 wherein the embolic structures have ellipsoidal or oblate-spheroidal shapes after they have been inserted and expanded with the aneurysm sac.

20 . The device in claim 17 wherein the embolic structures have tree-ornament shapes, wherein a tree ornament shape is defined as: an ellipsoid with an upward-facing spire and a downward-facing spire; or a 3D revolution of a single phase of a sine wave or normal curve.