Sequent Medical, Inc.

Microvention, Inc.

James M Thompson

Hung P Tran

Darrin James Kent

John Nolting

Tan Q Dinh

James A Milburn

Philippe Marchand

Claudio Plaza

Brian J Cox

Robert Rosenbluth

William Robert Patterson

Todd J Hewitt

Brian E Merritt

Richard L Quick

Lisa C Thompson

James A Millburn

Systems for completely or partially excluding an aneurysm from circulation of blood are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a microcatheter, a fully or partially self-expandable stent, and a delivery device configured to be deliverable together with the stent through a lumen of the microcatheter. The delivery device includes an elongate support member coupled to a self-expandable portion, which includes a tubular mesh structure having a compressed state and an expanded state. A distal portion of the self-expandable portion extends proximally from a distal end of the self-expandable portion and has a length having an expanded outer diameter that is equal to or greater than the self-expanded inner diameter of the stent. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the self-expandable portion is substantially non-expanded where it is coupled to the elongate support member.

Systems and methods for delivery of stents and stent-like devices

Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a disc defining a plane and a circumferential edge, a mandrel extending from a center of the disc that is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc, a plurality of catch mechanisms positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc, a plurality of actuators adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc, and a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel towards circumferential edge of the disc. A middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments contacts an end of the mandrel.

Braiding mechanism and methods of use

Devices for treating a cerebral aneurysm may include proximal and distal self-expanding resilient permeable shells each including a plurality of elongate resilient filaments having a braided structure. The distal permeable shell may include a first plurality of filaments gathered at least at the proximal end thereof. The proximal permeable shell may include a second plurality of filaments are gathered at least at the proximal end thereof. The expanded state of the distal permeable shell may have a convex shape at the distal end of the distal permeable shell and the expanded state of the proximal permeable shell may have a generally convex shape at the proximal end of the proximal permeable shell. The expanded states of the distal and proximal permeable shells may also define a toroidal cavity through which an elongate support member extends.

Devices for therapeutic vascular procedures

Ring

Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature are described. The device includes a self-expanding resilient permeable shell having a radially constrained state and an expanded state with a globular, axially shortened configuration. The permeable shell may be a single layer of braided elongate filaments having first and second ends that are secured at the proximal end of the permeable shell. The devices may also include permeable shells made of woven braided mesh having a variable mesh density, i.e., the average size of pores in one region are a different than the average size of pores in another region. Methods of using the device to treat a cerebral aneurysm are also described. Methods of forming a tubular braid are also described. Methods of forming a tubular braid with variable braid densities are described. Methods of forming a tubular braid using a castellated mandrel are also described.

Filamentary devices for treatment of vascular defects

The invention is for liners provided for use in a flush toilet with an interior. The liners are configured to fit within the interior area of the toilet bowl to contact an upper surface of the toilet water. The liners prevent soiling of the interior of the toilet bowl and facilitate the efficient removal and flushing of human waste. The liner acts as a barrier between the toilet bowl and wastewater, whereby the liner can then be flushed along with the contents of the bowl, thereby extending the period between necessary cleanings.

Flushable liner for use in toilet systems

Systems for treating an aneurysm in a cerebral vessel and methods of use are described. In one embodiment, the system includes an elongate tubular member having a lumen, an expandable stent, and a delivery device. The expandable stent has a constrained state that is configured for delivery through the lumen of the elongate tubular member, and an expanded state configured for placement within the cerebral vessel adjacent the aneurysm. The delivery device includes an elongate member and a self-expandable portion. The proximal end of the self-expandable portion is coupled to the elongate member at or near the distal end of the elongate member. The self-expandable portion of the delivery device includes a tubular mesh structure having a constrained state and an expanded state. The stent is engaged (e.g., mechanical, frictional, or intermeshing) with the self-expandable portion of the delivery device.

Methods and devices for treating a cerebral aneurysm utilize a device that includes a self-expanding resilient permeable shell made from elongate resilient filaments. At least some of the filaments have a distal region that extends beyond the distal end of the permeable shell and form an extension having a generally circular shape when expanded. The permeable shell has a radially constrained elongated state configured for delivery within a microcatheter and has an expanded state with a globular, axially shortened configuration. The permeable shell has a plurality of openings formed between the braided filaments. The distal regions of the plurality of filaments that form the extension may be braided, partially braided, or unraveled. Once deployed within the cerebral aneurysm, the extension may be positioned near a dome of the cerebral aneurysm.

Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes an array of filament engagement elements, a mandrel extending from the center of the circular array, a plurality of actuators disposed operably about the array, and a rotating mechanism adapted to rotate one or more filaments. The plurality of filaments are loaded onto the mandrel by looping a middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments over an end of the mandrel and extend radially toward and contact the circumferential edge of the circular array of filament engagement elements. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage a first subset of the plurality of filaments and move the engaged filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge of the array. The rotating mechanism is operated to move the engaged filaments about the mandrel axis.

Filamentary devices for the treatment of vascular defects

Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding machine includes first and second annular members, the second annular member being concentric with the first annular member. A mandrel extends perpendicularly to and intersects a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular region of the second annular member substantially at the center of the circular region. Each of the annular members has a plurality of tubular guide wires slideably mounted thereon and a plurality of wires extend from the mandrel through each of the tubular wire guides. The first annular member rotates circumferentially relative to the second annular member. The first plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially inward to align with the second annular member, and the second plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially outward so as to align with the first annular member.

Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a circular array of filament engagement elements, a mandrel extending from the center of the circular array, a plurality of actuators disposed operably about the circular array, and a rotating mechanism adapted to rotate one or more filaments. The circular array of filament engagement elements and the plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another. The plurality of filaments are loaded onto the mandrel and extend radially toward and contact the circumferential edge of the circular array of filament engagement elements. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage a first subset of the plurality of filaments and move the engaged filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge of the circular array. The rotating mechanism is operated to move the engaged filaments about the mandrel axis.

Methods for forming a tubular braid are described. The method for braiding includes providing a braiding mechanism including a disc, a mandrel, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge and the mandrel extends from a center of the disc. A plurality of filaments are loaded on the mandrel, each extending radially toward the circumferential edge and contacting the disc at a point of engagement. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage and move a first subset of filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge. The disc or the engaged first subset are rotated relative to one another, thereby crossing the first subset over a second subset of filaments. The actuators are then operated to move the first subset to a radial position on the circumferential edge different from its previous point of engagement.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Forest, CA, United States of America

James M Thompson