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.

A vaso-occlusive device delivery assembly includes a pusher assembly having proximal and distal ends, a conductive sacrificial link disposed at the distal end of the pusher assembly, and a vaso-occlusive device secured to the pusher assembly by the sacrificial link. The pusher assembly includes first and second conductors extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof. The sacrificial link is electrically coupled between the first and second conductors, such that the first conductor, sacrificial link and second conductor form an electrical circuit, and, when a disintegration current is applied through the sacrificial link through the first and second conductors, the sacrificial link thermally disintegrates, thereby releasing the attachment member and vaso-occlusive device from the pusher assembly.

Embodiments include, for example, mechanical release systems for implantable medical devices.

An endovascular device includes a catheter and a detachment mechanism that comprises a shape memory material located at a distal end of the catheter. The device further includes a detachable tip component secured by the detachment mechanism, wherein the detachment mechanism is configured such that application of electricity to the detachment mechanism causes the detachment mechanism to open and release the detachable tip component.

A parent artery occlusion (PAO) device which provides for immediate occlusion of a cerebral artery to isolate a defect. The PAO device includes a self-expanding wire-frame prolate structure which is partially covered with an ePTFE membrane.

A medical device is disclosed and may have a spiral shape structure that can function as a stent, such as a flow diversion stent to treat aneurysms. The medical device may have a spiral shape structure that can function as an occlusive device, for instance to occlude aneurysms. The medical device may include a shape setting structure to selectively adjust the shape of the medical device.

This intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device includes a neck bridge with a closeable opening through which embolic material is inserted into an aneurysm sac. After the neck bridge has been expanded within the aneurysm sac, a catheter is inserted through the opening and embolic material is delivered through the catheter into the aneurysm sac. After the aneurysm sac has been filled with embolic material, the catheter is then withdrawn and the opening is closed so that embolic material does not escape out of the aneurysm sac.

A vaso-occlusive device delivery assembly includes a pusher assembly having proximal and distal ends, a conductive sacrificial link disposed at the distal end of the pusher assembly, and a vaso-occlusive device secured to the pusher assembly by the sacrificial link. The pusher assembly includes first and second conductors extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof. The sacrificial link is electrically coupled between the first and second conductors, such that the first conductor, sacrificial link and second conductor form an electrical circuit, and, when a disintegration current is applied through the sacrificial link through the first and second conductors, the sacrificial link thermally disintegrates, thereby releasing the attachment member and vaso-occlusive device from the pusher assembly.

Treatment of an aneurysm or other vascular defect can be facilitated or enhanced by an implant delivered with a thermally activated detachment system. A delivery system can include an implant with a proximal portion that defines a port. A pusher device can include arms extending distally from a junction of the pusher device and through the port, with distal sections of the arms disposed within the implant. The arms can, at a certain temperature, transition from engagement with the implant to a shape that facilitates release of the implant. Additionally or alternatively, a coil can engage an outer surface of the implant at the proximal portion and transition to a shape that facilitates release of the implant.

Disclosed herein are detachment mechanisms for vaso-occlusive devices that allow for rapid operator-controlled release of the vaso-occlusive device into the selected site. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these detachment mechanisms and methods of using these detachment mechanisms and vaso-occlusive assemblies.