Dispensing device and method for delivering filamentary material into a patient

Abstract

There are disclosed various dispensing mechanisms for dispensing filamentary material through a catheter into a treatment site of a patient, for example into an aneurysm sack in a patient's vessel. In one embodiment the assembly includes a conical material carrier which is substantially aligned with the dispensing direction, thereby avoiding the need to have a rotating carrier. Another embodiment has a carrier which is at least partially cylindrical. The carrier provides for efficient dispensation of filamentary material at substantial dispensing speeds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier for carrying filamentary material deliverable into a patient, the carrier including an elongate body portion having a distal end and a proximal end; and filamentary material wound around the body portion, the filamentary material being wound from the distal end of the carrier to the proximal end of the carrier. 
     
     
         2 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the filamentary material is wound on the material carrier in sections from the distal end to the proximal end. 
     
     
         3 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the filamentary material is wound on the material carrier in sections up to a maximum wound diameter on the material carrier from the distal end to the proximal end. 
     
     
         4 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the filamentary material is wound in conical layers on the carrier. 
     
     
         5 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material carried on the material carrier includes one or more of: SIS, polysaccharide, a biocompatible polymeric thread or other biocompatible material. 
     
     
         6 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the filamentary material carried on the material carrier includes one or more of: woven polyester, polyamide, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene; bioremodelable materials such as: extracellular matrix material including submucosa, renal capsule membrane, dermal collagen, dura mater, pericardium, fascia lata, serosa, peritoneum and basement membrane layers. 
     
     
         7 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the carrier element is generally round in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the carrier element has a generally conical form tapering in a direction towards the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the body portion of the carrier element is conical. 
     
     
         10 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the carrier element includes a generally cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         11 . A carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the body portion of the carrier element includes a conical portion and a generally cylindrical portion extending longitudinally beyond a narrow end of the conical portion. 
     
     
         12 . A carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes a receptacle closure element attached to or integral with the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for delivering filamentary material into a patient, including a receptacle provided with an internal chamber for holding filamentary material, an aperture for receiving driving fluid into the chamber, an outlet through which filamentary material can pass from the chamber, and a pressure sensitive valve associated with the receptacle, the pressure sensitive valve being closed when the pressure of driving fluid is below a threshold and open when the pressure of driving fluid is above the threshold, the pressure sensitive valve when open allowing fluid flow through the chamber and dispensation of filamentary material from the outlet. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the pressure sensitive valve is disposed at least one of the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the valve is located at the inlet. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve includes at least one resilient valve leaf deformable when fluid pressure thereon exceeds the threshold. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve is domed to provide one-way fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , including filamentary material disposed in the receptacle.