Winding mandrel for vasoocclusive coils

Abstract

The winding mandrel includes a pair of generally rounded-cube shaped or orthogonally flat-sided spherical main bodies connected together and having a plurality of cylindrical posts for forming vasoocclusive coils. The main bodies are connected together by a transition post, and the posts of the two main bodies are typically offset. A front end post and back end post are disposed on the front and rear ends of the mandrel. A short winding post member may be added between the connections of the two main bodies to provide additional winding posts.

1 . A winding mandrel for forming at least a portion of a vasoocclusive coil, comprising:
 first and second main bodies, each of said first and second main bodies having a plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first and second main bodies, the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first main body being substantially aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the first main body, and the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the second main body being substantially aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the second main body;   a front end cylindrical post disposed on one of said first and second main bodies; and   a back end cylindrical post disposed on the other of said first and second main bodies.   
   
   
       2 . The winding mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second main bodies have a plurality of flat sides, and said cylindrical posts are attached to said flat sides, respectively. 
   
   
       3 . The winding mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cylindrical posts of said first and second main bodies are angularly offset with respect to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The winding mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical posts have a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the main bodies. 
   
   
       5 . The winding mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein said one of the front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other. 
   
   
       6 . The winding mandrel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a central transition post extending between and connecting said first and second main bodies; and   at least one central cylindrical winding post connected to and extending perpendicularly from said central transition post.   
   
   
       7 . A winding mandrel for forming at least a portion of a vasoocclusive coil, comprising:
 first and second main bodies, each of said first and second main bodies having a plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first and second main bodies, the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the first main body, and the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the second main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the second main body;   a central transition post extending between and connecting said first and second main bodies;   a front end cylindrical post disposed on one of said first and second main bodies;   a back end cylindrical post disposed on the other of said first and second main bodies; and   at least one central cylindrical winding post connected to and extending perpendicularly from said central transition post.   
   
   
       8 . The winding mandrel of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second main bodies have a plurality of flat sides, and said cylindrical posts are attached to said flat sides, respectively. 
   
   
       9 . The winding mandrel of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of cylindrical posts of said first and second main bodies are angularly offset with respect to each other. 
   
   
       10 . The winding mandrel of  claim 7 , wherein said cylindrical posts have a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the main bodies. 
   
   
       11 . The winding mandrel of  claim 7 , wherein said one of the front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other. 
   
   
       12 . The winding mandrel of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one central cylindrical winding post comprises first and second central cylindrical winding posts connected to and extending perpendicularly from said central transition post. 
   
   
       13 . A method of forming at least a portion of a vasoocclusive coil, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a winding mandrel including:
 (i) first and second main bodies, each of said first and second main bodies having a plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first and second main bodies, the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the first main body, and the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the second main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the second main body; 
 (ii) a front end cylindrical post disposed on one of said first and second main bodies; and 
 (iii) a back end cylindrical post disposed on the other of said first and second main bodies; and 
   b) winding a coil about at least one of said first and second main bodies, said plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on said first and second main bodies, said front end cylindrical post, and said back end cylindrical post to form at least a portion of the coil in a three-dimensional configuration.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other, and further comprising the step of helically winding an elongated portion of the coil about said one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said winding mandrel further includes a central transition post extending between and connecting said first and second main bodies, and at least one central cylindrical winding post connected to and extending perpendicularly from said central transition post, and wherein said step of winding a coil comprises:
 winding the coil about at least one of said first and second main bodies, said plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on said first and second main bodies, said central transition post extending between and connecting said first and second main bodies, said front end cylindrical post, said back end cylindrical post, and said at least one central cylindrical winding post, to form at least a portion of the coil in a three-dimensional configuration.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other, and further comprising the step of helically winding an elongated portion of the coil about said one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts. 
   
   
       17 . A vasoocclusive coil, wherein at least a portion of said vasoocclusive coil is formed in a three-dimensional configuration according to the method of  claim 13 . 
   
   
       18 . The vasoocclusive coil of  claim 17 , wherein one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other, and wherein said vasoocclusive coil comprises an elongated portion formed by helically winding the elongated portion of the coil about said one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts. 
   
   
       19 . A vasoocclusive coil, wherein at least a portion of said vasoocclusive coil is formed by:
 a) providing a winding mandrel including:
 (i) first and second main bodies, each of said first and second main bodies having a plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first and second main bodies, the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the first main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the first main body, and the plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on the second main body being aligned with orthogonal x and y axes through the second main body; 
 (ii) a front end cylindrical post disposed on one of said first and second main bodies; and 
 (iii) a back end cylindrical post disposed on the other of said first and second main bodies; and 
   b) winding the vasoocclusive coil about at least one of said first and second main bodies, said plurality of cylindrical posts disposed on said first and second main bodies, said front end cylindrical post, and said back end cylindrical post to form at least a portion of the vasoocclusive coil in a three-dimensional configuration.   
   
   
       20 . The vasoocclusive coil of  claim 19 , wherein one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts is substantially elongated with respect to the other, and wherein said vasoocclusive coil comprises an elongated portion formed by helically winding the elongated portion of the coil about said one of said front end and back end cylindrical posts.