Activatable bioactive vascular occlusive device and method of use

Abstract

A vascular occlusive device which includes a vascular occlusive embolic coil, a bioactive coating disposed onto the embolic coil, and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive agent in the bioactive coating and bodily fluids, until the outer barrier is activated by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

1 . An implantable vascular occlusive device for therapeutic treatment of a patient by aiding in occluding blood in a selected portion of the vasculature or in filling an aneurysm, comprising: 
 a vascular occlusive embolic coil;    a thrombus-inducing bioactive agent disposed on said embolic coil; and,    an outer barrier disposed on said bioactive agent to prevent exposure of said thrombus-inducing bioactive agent to bodily fluid when said vascular occlusive device is inserted into a blood vessel, said outer barrier exhibiting the characteristic of being substantially inert to bodily fluid but dissolving when exposed to an external agent, wherein the outer barrier is a coating, and wherein said characteristic of being substantially inert further comprises being non-water soluble.    
     
     
         2 . The implantable vascular occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein said bioactive agent comprises polyglycolic acid, and said outer barrier coating comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         3 . The implantable vascular occlusive device of  claim 2 , wherein said external agent is comprised of dimethyl sulfoxide.  
     
     
         4 . The implantable vascular occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein said embolic coil takes the form of a helically wound metallic coil.  
     
     
         5 . The implantable vascular occlusive device of  claim 1 , the embolic coil further comprising a rounded distal tip.  
     
     
         6 . The implantable vascular occlusive device of  claim 1 , the embolic coil further comprising a proximal cylindrical headpiece positioned within a lumen defined by the embolic coil.  
     
     
         7 . An implantable vascular occlusive device for therapeutic treatment of a patient by aiding in occluding blood in a selected portion of the vasculature or in filling an aneurysm, comprising: 
 a vascular occlusive embolic coil;    a thrombus-inducing bioactive agent disposed on said embolic coil; and,    an outer barrier comprising an activatable agent, said outer barrier covering said thrombus-inducing bioactive agent and exhibiting the characteristics of substantially preventing a reaction between the bioactive agent and bodily fluid when said vascular occlusive device is inserted into a blood vessel and permitting a reaction between the bioactive agent and bodily fluid upon activation by an external source.    
     
     
         8 . A method of treating an aneurysm comprising the steps of: 
 providing a vascular occlusive device comprising a support member, a bioactive agent disposed on said support member, and a barrier exhibiting the characteristic of normally preventing a reaction between the bioactive agent and a bodily fluid and of exposing a portion of said bioactive agent when an external agent is applied to said barrier;    inserting a delivery catheter into a blood vessel;    advancing the distal tip of the delivery catheter through the blood vessel until the distal tip is adjacent an aneurysm within the blood vessel;    delivering said vascular occlusive device with the delivery catheter into an aneurysm; and,    applying said external agent through the catheter and into the aneurysm to thereby activate said barrier to expose said bioactive agent to bodily tissue to thereby cause a reaction between the bioactive agent and the bodily tissue.    
     
     
         9 . A method of treating an aneurysm comprising the steps of: 
 providing a vascular occlusive device comprising a support member having a bioactive surface which reacts with bodily tissue and having a barrier which exhibits the characteristic of normally inhibiting a reaction between said bioactive surface of said vascular occlusive/device and bodily tissue;    inserting a delivery catheter into a blood vessel;    advancing the distal tip of the delivery catheter through the blood vessel until the distal tip is adjacent an aneurysm within the blood vessel;    delivering said vascular occlusive device with the delivery catheter into an aneurysm; and,    applying an external agent through the catheter and into the aneurysm to thereby activate said barrier and thus expose said bioactive surface to bodily tissue to thereby cause a reaction between the bioactive surface and the bodily tissue.    
     
     
         10 . A method of delivering a bioactive agent to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising the steps: 
 providing a support member having a bioactive surface which reacts with bodily tissue and have a barrier which exhibits the characteristic of normally inhibiting a reaction between said bioactive surface of said support member and bodily tissue;    inserting a delivery catheter into a blood vessel;    advancing the distal tip of the delivery catheter through the blood vessel until the distal tip is adjacent the desired location within the blood vessel;    delivering said support member with the delivery catheter to the desired location; and,    applying an external agent through the catheter to said support member to thereby activate said barrier and thus expose said bioactive surface to bodily tissue to thereby cause a reaction between the bioactive surface and the bodily tissue.