Blockstent device and methods of use

Abstract

What is disclosed is a medical device comprising a compressed, cylindrical or oblong, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (a “blockstent”) and a flexible, elongated device (a “delivery catheter”) to position the compressed blockstent into the lumen of a blood vessel segment to be treated, and methods of use for occlusion of treated blood vessel segments. A blockstent can be made with ductile metals such as gold, platinum, or silver such that the blockstent will conform to the shape of the lumen of the treated blood vessel segment during expansion and allow for the shape of the blockstent to be permanently changed by the application of an external force. The surface of the blockstent can be configured to promote local thrombus on the external surface of the blockstent and to promote the growth of tissue into the wall of the blockstent in order to occlude the treated blood vessel and fix the blockstent in place. The wall of the blockstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition to promote this thrombus formation and tissue growth.

1 . An expanded medical device located in a blood vessel, the medical device comprising:
 an expanded hollow structure having a generally cylindrical form, wherein the hollow structure comprises a single lobe, having a wall with an interior surface defining a void, and an exterior surface, with an opening in the wall that allows for the passage of fluid into the void, and wherein the hollow structure comprises one or both of a proximal neck and a distal neck; and,   wherein the expanded hollow structure has sufficient rigidity to remain in an expanded state when detached from the catheter and implanted in vivo in an unsealed and open configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the form of the expanded structure is cylindrical, with either flat or curved opposed ends. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow structure comprises a metal layer and a polymer layer or coating. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the thickness of the polymer or coating is between 0.1 μm and 59 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the thickness of the metal layer is between 5 μm and 20 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the total thickness of the wall is between 2 μm and 60 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the polymer layer or coating is external to the metal layer. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the polymer layer or coating is internal to the metal layer. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the metal layer is annealed. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the hollow structure comprises microscopic projections. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the projections range in length from 0.01 μm to 57 μm. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the hollow structure is porous. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the pores have a diameter of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the hollow structure comprises both a proximal neck and a distal neck and both the proximal neck and the distal neck of the hollow structure project away from the body of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow structure comprises an outer layer comprising metal and an inner layer comprising a polymer and wherein the metal layer and the polymer layer are bonded together. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein a radiopaque marker band or spot is incorporated into the medical device. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the proximal neck of the hollow structure projects away from the body and is configured to fit around the distal end of a delivery catheter; and,   an elastic sleeve or wrap is extended around at least a portion of the proximal neck of the hollow structure to hold the proximal neck of the hollow structure against the distal end of the delivery catheter.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic sleeve or wrap is attached to the distal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the proximal neck or the distal neck of the hollow structure is configured to close and form a seal after separation from the catheter to assume a sealed configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal neck and the distal neck of the hollow structure are configured to close and form a seal and assume a sealed configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein after separation from the catheter, one of the proximal neck or the distal neck is sealed and the other neck remains open to assume a partially sealed configuration. 
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded hollow structure is supported by a rigid or semi rigid material inside the void of the expanded hollow structure. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded hollow structure is not supported by a rigid or semi rigid material inside the void of the expanded hollow structure.