Systems and methods for treating aneurysms

Abstract

An apparatus for treating an aneurysm includes an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft and including an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold, the occlusion element configured to be delivered in a collapsed configuration through an inner lumen of a delivery catheter and further configured to expand to an expanded configuration when advanced out of the delivery catheter, wherein in the expanded configuration, at least the outer layer of the inverted mesh tube is formed into an expanded shape including a proximal section having a first transverse dimension, a distal section having a second transverse dimension, and a waist portion having a third transverse dimension, wherein the third transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension, and the third transverse dimension is less than the second transverse dimension, and wherein in the expanded configuration, the waist portion is configured to be deformed by an externally applied force such that a distance between the distal section and the proximal section is decreased.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel, comprising:
 an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft, the occlusion element comprising an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold, wherein at least the outer layer is formed into an expanded shape having a proximal section having a first diameter, a distal section having a second diameter, and a waist portion having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter and the third diameter is less than the second diameter.