Implantable damping devices for treating dementia and associated systems and methods of use

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for reducing stress on a blood vessel are disclosed herein. A damping device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include an anchoring member coupled to a flexible, compliant damping member including a generally tubular sidewall having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a lumen configured to direct blood flow, a first end portion and a second end portion, and a damping region between the first and second end portions. The inner and outer surfaces of the damping member can be spaced apart by a distance that is greater at the damping region than at either of the first or second end portions. When blood flows through the damping member during systole, the damping member absorbs a portion of the pulsatile energy of the blood, thereby reducing a magnitude of the pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the blood vessel distal to the damping device.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising:
 an anchoring system having a first portion and a second portion; and   a cushioning member located between the first and second portions of the anchoring system such that a portion of the cushioning member is not constrained by the anchoring system, and wherein the cushioning member is configured to absorb pulsatile energy transmitted by blood flowing with the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the cushioning member is configured to expand in response to an increase of blood pressure within the vessel, and relax as the blood pressure within the vessel subsequently decreases. 
     
     
         3 . A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising:
 an endovascular cushioning device having a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, each of the proximal and distal anchors being configured to abut against an inner wall of a major artery; and   an elastically deformable member extending between the proximal and distal anchors,   wherein the elastically deformable member is configured to expand in response to an increase of blood pressure within the vessel, and relax as the blood pressure within the vessel subsequently decreases.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein a portion of the elastically deformable membrane located longitudinally between the proximal and distal anchors defines a region of reduced internal cross-sectional area relative to the proximal and distal anchors when the elastically deformable membrane is radially relaxed. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the proximal and distal anchors are each radially expandable between a first diameter before deployment and a second diameter after deployment. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more threads secured to the proximal anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein each thread is secured to an eyelet. 
     
     
         8 . A device for treating an artery selected from a left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, a brachiocephalic artery, the ascending aorta, an internal carotid artery, or an abdominal aorta, the device comprising:
 a wrap fabricated from an elastically deformable material, and   an engagement formation adapted to secure two opposing edges of the wrap around the artery,   wherein the elastically deformable material is configured to radially expand during a systole stage and radially contract during a diastole stage.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the engagement formation includes sutures and/or staples. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the engagement formation includes a zip lock. 
     
     
         11 . A device for treating a left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, a brachiocephalic artery, or an ascending aorta, the device comprising:
 a proximal anchor configured to be wrapped around the artery;   a distal anchor configured to be wrapped around the artery and longitudinally spaced relative to the proximal anchor; and   a helical band adapted to be wound around the artery, the helical band having a first end securable to the proximal anchor and an opposing second end securable to the distal anchor, wherein the helical band is adapted to radially expand during a systole stage and radially contract during a diastole stage.   
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a blood vessel, comprising:
 inserting a catheter into a vessel and directing a tip of the catheter to a desired vascular location;   transferring a distal anchor from within the catheter tip into the vessel;   expanding the distal anchor such that a radially outer portion of the distal anchor engages with an inner wall of the vessel;   withdrawing the catheter slightly and transferring a proximal anchor from the tip of the catheter into the vessel;   longitudinally positioning the proximal anchor at a desired location;   expanding the proximal anchor such that a radially outer portion of the proximal anchor engages with an inner wall of the vessel, wherein an elastically deformable member extends longitudinally between the proximal and distal anchors.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein transferring the distal anchor includes advancing the distal anchor from the tip of the catheter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein transferring the distal anchor includes withdrawing the tip of the catheter whilst the distal anchor remains at a generally constant longitudinal position within the vessel, and exits from the tip of the catheter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein longitudinally positioning the proximal anchor includes applying a first tensile force to one or more threads frangibly secured to the proximal anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including frangibly rupturing the thread(s) after expanding the proximal anchor by applying a second tensile force which is greater than the first tensile force. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including disengaging a ring, latch or clasp secured to the thread(s) after expanding the proximal anchor in order to disengage the thread from the proximal anchor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further including imaging to determine the location of the proximal and/or distal anchors. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a blood vessel selected from a left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery or a brachiocephalic artery, a carotid artery, a branch of any of the foregoing, and an ascending aorta, the method comprising:
 wrapping an elastically deformable material around the artery; and   attaching a first edge of the elastically deformable material to an opposing second edge of the elastically deformable material such that an internal diameter of the elastically deformable material is smaller than an initial outer diameter of the artery during a systole stage.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including stretching the deformable material in response to a pulse wave travelling through the artery.