An apparatus for treating an aneurysm includes an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the occlusion element configured to be delivered in a collapsed configuration and further configured to expand to an expanded configuration, the occlusion element comprising an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold located at or adjacent the distal end of the occlusion element, the inversion fold defining an inner diameter, the occlusion element further comprising a maximum outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is between about 35% to about 85% of the maximum outer diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the occlusion element increases along the longitudinal axis to the maximum outer diameter.

A vaso-occlusive system configured for embolizing an aneurysm, includes an implantable vaso-occlusive device coupled to a distal end of an elongate pusher and having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded, deployed configuration, wherein the vaso-occlusive device includes a proximal end configured to seat against the aneurysm adjacent the neck of the aneurysm, a distal end configured to extend in the sac and away from the neck of the aneurysm, and a central longitudinal axis, and wherein the vaso-occlusive device is configured to be releasably coupled to the distal end of the pusher at a releasable joint including either one or both of the configurations in the list consisting of: (1) the distal end of the pusher extends from the releasable joint at an angle formed with the central longitudinal axis of between about 30 degrees and about 120 degrees, and (2) the releasable joint is coupled at a location on the proximal end of the vaso-occlusive device that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for treating an aneurysm includes an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the occlusion element configured to be delivered in a collapsed configuration and further configured to expand to an expanded configuration, the occlusion element comprising an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold located at or adjacent the distal end of the occlusion element, the inversion fold defining an inner diameter, the occlusion element further comprising a maximum outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is between about 35% to about 85% of the maximum outer diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the occlusion element increases along the longitudinal axis to the maximum outer diameter.

A vaso-occlusive system configured for embolizing an aneurysm, includes an implantable vaso-occlusive device coupled to a distal end of an elongate pusher and having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded, deployed configuration, wherein the vaso-occlusive device includes a proximal end configured to seat against the aneurysm adjacent the neck of the aneurysm, a distal end configured to extend in the sac and away from the neck of the aneurysm, and a central longitudinal axis, and wherein the vaso-occlusive device is configured to be releasably coupled to the distal end of the pusher at a releasable joint including either one or both of the configurations in the list consisting of: (1) the distal end of the pusher extends from the releasable joint at an angle formed with the central longitudinal axis of between about 30 degrees and about 120 degrees, and (2) the releasable joint is coupled at a location on the proximal end of the vaso-occlusive device that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel includes an occlusion element including a first tubular mesh having a first end and a second end coupled together at a proximal end of the occlusion element such that an intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh between the first end and the second end includes a substantially 180 degree turn, the intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh extending distally from the proximal end of the occlusion element, wherein the intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh has a collapsed configuration and is configured to expand to an expanded. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a second tubular mesh having a first end and a second end coupled to the proximal end of the occlusion element such that an intermediate portion of the second tubular mesh between the first end and the second end includes a substantially 180 degree turn. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a cover coupled to the proximal end of the occlusion element.

An apparatus for treating an aneurysm includes an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft and including an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold, the occlusion element configured to be delivered in a collapsed configuration through an inner lumen of a delivery catheter and further configured to expand to an expanded configuration when advanced out of the delivery catheter, wherein in the expanded configuration, at least the outer layer of the inverted mesh tube is formed into an expanded shape including a proximal section having a first transverse dimension, a distal section having a second transverse dimension, and a waist portion having a third transverse dimension, wherein the third transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension, and the third transverse dimension is less than the second transverse dimension, and wherein in the expanded configuration, the waist portion is configured to be deformed by an externally applied force such that a distance between the distal section and the proximal section is decreased.

What is disclosed is a medical device comprising a compressed, cylindrical or oblong, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (a blockstent) and a flexible, elongated device (a delivery catheter) to position the compressed blockstent into the lumen of a blood vessel segment to be treated, and methods of use for occlusion of treated blood vessel segments. A blockstent can be made with ductile metals such as gold, platinum, or silver such that the blockstent will conform to the shape of the lumen of the treated blood vessel segment during expansion and allow for the shape of the blockstent to be permanently changed by the application of an external force. The surface of the blockstent can be configured to promote local thrombus on the external surface of the blockstent and to promote the growth of tissue into the wall of the blockstent in order to occlude the treated blood vessel and fix the blockstent in place. The wall of the blockstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition to promote this thrombus formation and tissue growth.

What is disclosed are medical devices comprising a rounded, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (ballstent) and a flexible, elongated delivery device (delivery catheter) and systems and methods of use for treating saccular vascular aneurysms with the medical devices. Ballstents comprised of gold, platinum, or silver that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, and expanded to conform to the shape of the aneurysm are disclosed. The external surface of ballstents can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the wall of the ballstent in order to seal the aneurysm and fix the ballstent in place in the aneurysm. The wall of the ballstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules, such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue growth.

Devices, systems, and methods used to seal a treatment area to prevent embolic agents from migrating are described. The concept has particular benefit in allowing liquid embolic to be used with a variety of intravascular therapeutic applications, including for occluding aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the neurovasculature.

Devices, systems, and methods used to seal a treatment area to prevent embolic agents from migrating are described. The concept has particular benefit in allowing liquid embolic to be used with a variety of intravascular therapeutic applications, including for occluding aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the neurovasculature.