Method and apparatus for repairing vascular abnormalities and/or other body lumen abnormalities using an endoluminal approach and a flowable forming material

Abstract

A method for repairing an abnormality in the wall of a body lumen, the method comprising: isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen; positioning flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen; and transforming the flowable forming material into a substantially stationary state so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen. Apparatus for repairing an abnormality in the wall of a body lumen, the apparatus comprising: a supply of flowable forming material; zone isolation apparatus for isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen; and positioning apparatus for positioning the flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen.

1 . A method for repairing an abnormality in the wall of a body lumen, the method comprising:
 isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen;   positioning flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen; and   transforming the flowable forming material into a substantially stationary state so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen.   
     
     
         2 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the abnormality comprises one from the group consisting of a reduced wall thickness, a perforation, a tear and a flap. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the flowable forming material is integrated with the wall of the body lumen so as to repair the abnormality. 
     
     
         11 .- 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flowable forming material comprises a non-resorbable material. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38  wherein the flowable forming material comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a hybrid inorganic/organic--hydraulic cement/polyurethane resin and an organic polymer ambient temperature cure resin. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  wherein the flowable forming material comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate (MMA), polymethyl methacrylate [PMMA] and polyurethane. 
     
     
         41 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flowable forming material comprises polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flowable forming material comprises spider silk. 
     
     
         46 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method according to claim  46  wherein the mold structure comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein the mesh is in the form of a cylinder. 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method according to claim  46  wherein the mold structure comprises a partial circumferential configuration. 
     
     
         54 . Apparatus for repairing an abnormality in the wall of a body lumen, the apparatus comprising:
 a supply of flowable forming material;   zone isolation apparatus for isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen; and   positioning apparatus for positioning the flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen.   
     
     
         55 . Apparatus according to  claim 54  wherein the flowable forming material comprising a bi-state material having (i) a flowable state, and (ii) a substantially stationary state. 
     
     
         56 . Apparatus according to  claim 54  wherein the flowable forming material comprises polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         57 . Apparatus according to  claim 54  wherein the flowable forming material comprises spider silk. 
     
     
         58 . Apparatus according to  claim 54  wherein the zone isolation apparatus isolates the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen while still allowing flow through the body lumen. 
     
     
         59 . Apparatus according to  claim 58  wherein the zone isolation apparatus comprises:
 an erectable proximal isolation barrier capable of making a sealing engagement with the wall of the body lumen; 
 an erectable distal isolation barrier capable of making a sealing engagement with the wall of the body lumen; 
 a bypass channel secured to, and extending between, the proximal isolation barrier and the distal isolation barrier, the bypass channel comprising a lumen communicating with the region proximal to the proximal isolation barrier and with the region distal to the distal isolation barrier; and 
 a working catheter passing through the proximal isolation barrier and terminating short of the distal isolation barrier, the working catheter providing a central lumen for providing access to the wall of the body lumen between the proximal isolation barrier and the distal isolation barrier. 
 
     
     
         60 . Apparatus according to  claim 59  wherein the erectable proximal isolation barrier and the erectable distal isolation barrier are constructed so as to be capable of assuming a diametrically-reduced configuration and a diametrically-expanded configuration, and further wherein the erectable proximal isolation barrier and the erectable distal isolation barrier are in their diametrically-expanded configuration when making a sealing engagement with the wall of the body lumen. 
     
     
         61 . Apparatus according to  claim 59  wherein at least one of the erectable proximal isolation barrier and the erectable distal isolation barrier comprises an upstream isolation barrier, and further wherein the upstream isolation barrier is configured to channel blood flow into the bypass channel. 
     
     
         62 . Apparatus according to  claim 54  further comprising a mold structure configured to constrain the flowable forming material in the space between the wall of the body lumen and the mold structure. 
     
     
         63 . Apparatus according to  claim 62  wherein the mold structure is penetrable. 
     
     
         64 . Apparatus according to  claim 62  wherein the mold structure comprises a substantially continuous film. 
     
     
         65 . Apparatus according to  claim 64  wherein the substantially continuous film is in the form of a cylinder. 
     
     
         66 . Apparatus according to  claim 62  wherein the mold structure comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         67 . Apparatus according to  claim 66  wherein the mesh is in the form of a cylinder. 
     
     
         68 . Apparatus according to  claim 62  wherein the mold structure comprises a circumferential configuration. 
     
     
         69 . Apparatus according to  claim 62  wherein the mold structure comprises a partial circumferential configuration.