Method and apparatus for occluding a blood vessel

Abstract

Apparatus for percutaneously occluding a hollow structure, said apparatus comprising: an occluder, said occluder comprising a first component and a second component, wherein said first component is configured so that it may assume (i) a diametrically-reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a hollow tube, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded configuration for disposition adjacent to the hollow structure, whereby to occlude the hollow structure, and further wherein said second component percutaneously connects said first component to a site remote from said first component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for percutaneously occluding a hollow structure, said apparatus comprising:
 an occluder, said occluder comprising a first component and a second component, wherein said first component is configured so that it may assume (i) a diametrically-reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a hollow tube, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded configuration for disposition adjacent to the hollow structure, whereby to occlude the hollow structure, and further wherein said second component percutaneously connects said first component to a site remote from said first component.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said occluder is configured to completely occlude the hollow structure. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said occluder is configured to partially occlude the hollow structure. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow structure is an artery. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow structure is a vein. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow structure is a fallopian tube. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow tube is a needle. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first component of said occluder bears against an outer surface of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first component of said occluder bears against two opposing outer surfaces of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said first component crosses the hollow structure. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said second component is secured to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said distal portion of said first component may be separated from said proximal portion of said first component using said second component. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said first component is disposed at an internal anatomical site, and further wherein said second component extends from said first component to the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said second component is releasably secured to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said distal portion of said first component may be separated from said proximal portion of said first component using separation apparatus other than said second component. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said first component is disposed at an internal anatomical site, and further wherein said second component extends from said first component to the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said separation apparatus comprises an endoluminal balloon disposed between said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion for bearing against an outer surface of the hollow structure, and said second component comprises a proximal portion positionable against another anatomical surface. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said first component is disposed at an internal anatomical site, said second component extends from said first component to the surface of the skin, and further wherein said proximal portion is positionable against the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure, and further wherein the second component comprises an inner portion connected to said distal portion of said first component and an outer portion connected to said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein said proximal portion of said first component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said second component is configured to selectively release said proximal portion of said first component from said distal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure, and further wherein the second component is releasably connectable to said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said proximal portion of said first component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said second component is configured to selectively release said proximal portion of said first component from said distal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein said second component is selectively lockable to at least one of said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said second component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said first component comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein said second component comprises control means for at least one of inflating and deflating said balloon. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein said second component comprises control means for both inflating and deflating said balloon. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein said second component comprises control means for introducing a fluid into said balloon. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein said second component comprises control means for introducing a settable material into said balloon. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said first component comprises at least two balloons. 
     
     
         31 . A method for percutaneously occluding a hollow structure, the method comprising:
 providing apparatus comprising:
 an occluder, said occluder comprising a first component and a second component, wherein said first component is configured so that it may assume (i) a diametrically-reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a hollow tube, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded configuration for disposition adjacent to the hollow structure, whereby to occlude the hollow structure, and further wherein said second component percutaneously connects said first component to a site remote from said first component; and 
   positioning said occluder adjacent to the hollow structure so as to occlude the hollow structure.   
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 31  comprising the further step of removing said occluder. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein the hollow structure is an artery. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein the hollow tube is a needle. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein said first component of said occluder bears against an outer surface of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein said first component of said occluder bears against two opposing outer surfaces of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said first component crosses the hollow structure. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said second component is secured to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said distal portion of said first component may be separated from said proximal portion of said first component using said second component. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  wherein said first component is disposed at an internal anatomical site, and further wherein said second component extends from said first component to the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 35  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion for bearing against an outer surface of the hollow structure, and said second component comprises a proximal portion positionable against another anatomical surface. 
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41  wherein said first component is disposed at an internal anatomical site, said second component extends from said first component to the surface of the skin, and further wherein said proximal portion is positionable against the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure, and further wherein the second component comprises an inner portion connected to said distal portion of said first component and an outer portion connected to said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43  wherein said proximal portion of said first component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said second component is configured to selectively release said proximal portion of said first component from said distal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein said first component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further wherein said distal portion bears against a distal outer surface of the hollow structure and the proximal portion bears against a proximal outer surface of the hollow structure, and further wherein the second component is releasably connectable to said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45  wherein said proximal portion of said first component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component, and further wherein said second component is configured to selectively release said proximal portion of said first component from said distal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein said second component is selectively lockable to at least one of said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein said second component is selectively lockable to said distal portion of said first component and said proximal portion of said first component. 
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 35  wherein said first component comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 49  wherein said second component comprises control means for at least one of inflating and deflating said balloon. 
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 35  wherein said first component comprises at least two balloons. 
     
     
         52 . An occluder for occluding a hollow structure, wherein the occluder is configured to be percutaneously delivered to an internal site and thereafter expanded so as to cause complete or partial occlusion of the hollow structure, and further wherein the occluder is configured so that the expansion of the occluder may thereafter be reversed in full or in part so as to completely or partially restore the hollow structure to its original condition. 
     
     
         53 . An occluder according to  claim 52  wherein the occluder is positioned such that an intervening structure resides between the occluder and the hollow structure which is to be occluded. 
     
     
         54 . A method for occluding a hollow structure, wherein an occluder is percutaneously delivered to an internal site and thereafter expanded so as to cause complete or partial occlusion of the hollow structure, and further wherein the occluder is configured so that the expansion of the occluder may thereafter be reversed in full or in part so as to completely or partially restore the hollow structure to its original condition. 
     
     
         55 . An method according to  claim 54  wherein the occluder is positioned such that an intervening structure resides between the occluder and the hollow structure which is to be occluded. 
     
     
         56 . Apparatus for occluding a hollow structure, wherein the apparatus comprises an occluder, a device for percutaneously delivering the occluder to an internal site and deploying the occluder so that it completely or partially occludes the hollow structure, and a device for removing some or all of the occluder so as to completely or partially restore the hollow structure to its original condition. 
     
     
         57 . A method for treating a patient, wherein the method comprises percutaneously delivering an occluder to an internal site so that it completely or partially occludes the hollow structure, and further wherein the method comprises thereafter removing some or all of the occluder so as to completely or partially restore the hollow structure to its original condition.