Device and method for bridging a neck of an aneurysm

Abstract

A system for removing a thrombus. The system includes an expandable device that maintains axially fixed engagement with the thrombus. The expandable device applies a first force to the thrombus according to surrounding vessel size. The expandable device applies a second force to the thrombus according to an increased vessel size to maintain axially fixed engagement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for bridging a neck of an aneurysm, comprising:
 an expandable member positionable within a blood vessel at an opening of aneurysm to form a bridge across said opening; said expandable member configured to prevent coils contained within said aneurysm from entering said vessel, without arresting blood flow within said vessel;   a push/pull wire coupled at least to a distal end of said expandable member, said push/pull wire configured to control expansion of said member when an axial force component is applied to a proximal end of said wire from outside the patient;   wherein said expandable member is configured to expand to a diameter larger than a relaxed diameter of said member by manipulation of said push/pull wire.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube sized to be slidably disposed within a microcatheter, and wherein said expandable member is coupled to a distal end of said tube. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said push/pull wire is fixed to said distal end of said expandable member, said push/pull wire extending in a proximal direction through said outer tube and configured so that relative axial displacement of said push/pull wire with respect to said outer tube causes said expandable member to elongate axially and contract radially when said wire is moved distally with respect to said tube, and to compress axially and expand radially when moved proximally with respect to said outer tube. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio between actuation distance of said push/pull wire and a diameter of said expandable member is between 0.4 to 2.8. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said push/pull wire extends to outside the body and application of an axial force component to said push/pull wire is provided by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein application of an axial force component to said push/pull wire is provided by a spring. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein application of an axial force component to said push/pull wire is provided by an actuator in the form of a ratcheting wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said relaxed diameter of said expandable member is between 1-3 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said relaxed diameter is less than one half of a diameter of said blood vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member is configured to expand to a maximal diameter up to 6 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper in communication with said push/pull wire for limiting expansion of said expandable member to a predefined maximum. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member comprises a plurality of interwoven wires, wherein a geometry of said wires is selected to prevent said coils from entering said blood vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein openings defined between said interwoven wires at a proximal section and at a distal section of said expandable member are large enough to allow blood to flow through. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein openings defined between said wires are reduced in size when said member is expanded in diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member comprises between 8-24 wires interwoven in a basket like configuration, forming a cell pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said wires are round shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member comprises one or more radiopaque wires. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said distal end of said expandable member is in the form of a cap. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said relaxed state said expandable member comprises a cylindrical profile or a continuously curved profile. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preventing intra-aneurysmal coils from entering the blood vessel exhibiting the aneurysm, comprising
 providing an intravascular device comprising an expandable member structured to prevent coils contained within said aneurysm from entering the blood vessel, said expandable member operatively coupled to a push/pull wire;   positioning said expandable member in the blood vessel such that at least a portion of said member is aligned with said aneurysm neck;   actuating said push/pull wire to expand said expandable member from a relaxed diameter to a larger diameter in which said expandable member engages walls of said blood vessel, said expandable member extending axially within said vessel at least between a first end of said aneurysm neck and a second end of said aneurysm neck.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said positioning and actuating do not arrest flow through said vessel. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said positioning comprises positioning said expandable member at a bend of said blood vessel. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said device is introduced over a guide wire. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein a diameter of said blood vessel is between 2-4 mm.