Devices and methods for treating vascular malformations

Abstract

A device for treating vascular malformations includes a primary coil and secondary windings. The primary coil provides resilience and structural integrity while the secondary windings fill interstitial spaces in the primary coil to isolate the vascular malformation. The device may have increased density along a central portion to isolate the malformation. In another aspect, the device may have a central opening through which embolic materials may be delivered.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a vascular malformation, comprising the steps of:
 providing a vascular element having a main coil and a plurality of secondary windings, the main coil being naturally biased toward an expanded position and carrying the secondary windings;   delivering the vascular element to a vascular malformation;   releasing the vascular element so that the main coil expands, the main coil also expanding the secondary windings, the vascular element forming a lumen to permit blood to pass therethrough, the vascular element isolating the vascular malformation.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with at least two main coils, the at least two main coils being interwoven.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with two main coils, the main coils being interwoven and each having a generally helical shape.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the device having a side opening, the side opening being larger than other openings in the vascular element.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the step of:
 delivering an embolic material through the side opening after the releasing step.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the side opening extending circumferentially around the vascular element.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the side opening being formed by an absence of the secondary windings.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the side opening being formed by a continuous length of the secondary winding with a spacing between the secondary winding being enlarged at the side opening.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the side opening being formed by a larger spacing between adjacent windings of the secondary windings.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claims 31  and  34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with about 3-30 secondary windings. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claims 31  and  34 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with about 10-50 secondary windings. 
 
     
     
         42 - 61 . (canceled)