Medical devices

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method can include delivering an electrically conductive coil into a lumen of a subject. In certain embodiments, the method can further include delivering at least a portion of an endoprosthesis into a lumen of the electrically conductive coil. In some embodiments, the method may enhance the MRI visibility of material within a lumen of the endoprosthesis.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 delivering an electrically conductive coil into a lumen of a subject; and    delivering at least a portion of an endoprosthesis into a lumen of the electrically conductive coil.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises using a generally tubular member to deliver the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein delivering the electrically conductive coil into a lumen of a subject comprises separating an attached end of the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein separating an attached end of the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member comprises electrolytically detaching the attached end of the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein separating an attached end of the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member comprises mechanically detaching the attached end of the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electrically conductive coil is attached to the generally tubular member by a bioerodible material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein during delivery of the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject, the electrically conductive coil is supported by the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising separating the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member so that the electrically conductive coil no longer is supported by the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein separating the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member comprises rotating the generally tubular member.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein separating the electrically conductive coil from the generally tubular member comprises expanding the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising viewing the endoprosthesis using magnetic resonance imaging.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive coil forms a resonance circuit.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive coil comprises a conductor connecting a first section of the electrically conductive coil to a second section of the electrically conductive coil.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting a proximal end of the electrically conductive coil to a distal end of the electrically conductive coil using a conductor.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive coil comprises a superelastic material.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering an electrically conductive coil into a lumen of a subject comprises delivering a sheath containing the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising rotating the sheath to deliver the electrically conductive coil from the sheath into the lumen of the subject.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sheath has an exterior surface and an interior surface that contacts the electrically conductive coil.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the interior surface of the sheath defines at least one groove.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interior surface of the sheath defines a helical groove.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the electrically conductive coil is disposed within the helical groove.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive coil comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and the method comprises establishing electrical communication between the proximal end and the distal end.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the method comprises establishing electrical communication between the proximal end and the distal end without using a solid conductor.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using magnetic resonance imaging to view an environment surrounding the electrically conductive coil prior to delivering at least a portion of an endoprosthesis into a lumen of the electrically conductive coil.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive coil comprises a first capacitor, and the method further comprises flowing an electrical current through a circuit including the first capacitor.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a second capacitor.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during delivery of the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject, the electrically conductive coil is in contact with at least one electrical circuit component that is not a component of the electrically conductive coil.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during delivery of the electrically conductive coil into the lumen of the subject, the electrically conductive coil resonates at the Larmor frequency of a proton in a one Tesla magnetic field, a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field, or a three Tesla magnetic field.