Methods and devices for treatment of vascular defects

Abstract

Methods for treating a cerebral aneurysm are described. The method includes providing an expandable wire body support structure having a low profile radially constrained state, an expanded relaxed state with a substantially spherical or globular configuration having a smooth outer surface, and a porous permeable layer comprising a braided wire occlusive mesh disposed over at least a portion of the expandable wire body support structure at a first end, which is configured to cover an aneurysm opening. The support structure is advanced in the low profile radially constrained state within a microcatheter to a region of interest within a cerebral artery. The support structure is then deployed within the cerebral aneurysm, and the support structure expands to the expanded relaxed state within the cerebral aneurysm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a cerebral aneurysm, comprising the steps of:
 providing an expandable wire body support structure having:
 a low profile radially constrained state with a first end, a second end, an elongated tubular configuration having a longitudinal axis, elongate flexible wires defining a plurality of openings between wires, and a first transverse dimension suitable for delivery through a microcatheter configured for navigation in cerebral vasculature, and 
 an expanded relaxed state with a substantially spherical or globular configuration having a smooth outer surface and a second transverse dimension substantially greater than the first transverse dimension of the elongated tubular configuration of the radially constrained state; and 
 a porous permeable layer comprising a braided wire occlusive mesh disposed over at least a portion of the expandable wire body support structure at the first end, which is configured to cover an aneurysm opening; 
   advancing the support structure in the low profile radially constrained state within a microcatheter to a region of interest within a cerebral artery; and   deploying the support structure within the cerebral aneurysm, wherein the support structure expands to the expanded relaxed state within the cerebral aneurysm.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous permeable layer covers at least one-third of the expandable wire body support structure when in the expanded relaxed state. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable layer comprises wires having a thickness of less than about 0.40 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable layer comprises wires having a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 0.030 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein upon deployment, the device substantially fills an aneurysm such that the braided mesh layer and wire structural layer cover a neck of the aneurysm being treated. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each elongate flexible wire forms a smooth arc between first end and second ends. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous permeable layer extends from the first end toward the second end of the expandable wire body support structure when in the expanded relaxed state. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable wire body support structure defines an opening at the second end when the expandable wire body support structure is in the expanded relaxed state.