Systems and methods for supporting or occluding a physiological opening or cavity

Abstract

Implantable devices for placement at a cavity or opening such as an aneurysm are disclosed. The implantable devices, in a deployed condition, have a generally inverted U-shaped profile with a curved or angled framework support structure sized and configured for placement in proximity to tissue surrounding the opening and anchoring legs extending proximally from the framework structure sized and configured to contact the wall of a neighboring lumen at opposed locations. Occlusive and semi-occlusive membranes may be associated with the framework support structure and deployed over the opening to provide exclusion of the opening and flow diversion. Proximal anchoring segments providing additional lumen wall surface area contact for the implantable device following deployment may be incorporated.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An implantable device configured for deployment from a generally small delivery condition to a larger diameter deployed condition at an opening of a physiological cavity, the implantable device comprising:
 a substantially planar, generally diamond-shaped framework structure configured for bending into an inverted U-shape for deployment, the generally diamond-shaped framework structure characterized by:
 a longitudinal centerline joining two lateral areas of the framework structure; and 
 and an axial centerline joining two end points of two axial areas of the framework structure; 
   two or more anchoring legs connected to and extending from the generally diamond-shaped framework structure; and   anchoring leg extensions connected to and extending from each of the two or more anchoring legs, the anchoring leg extensions each comprising a proximal junction configured for joining proximal ends the anchoring leg extensions.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a membrane structure extending within the generally diamond-shaped framework structure, and when deployed and positioned, the membrane structure is configured to substantially cover across the opening of the physiological cavity and extend circumferentially to contact tissue on one or more sides of the opening of the physiological cavity or a vessel wall adjacent the opening of the physiological cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable device of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane structure is substantially impermeable to fluids. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable device of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane structure is semi-occlusive. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein in a deployed arrangement, the anchoring legs extend from the framework structure opposite one another and along substantially parallel, opposed planes. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring legs are sized and configured to contact tissue surface areas generally opposite one another on a neighboring lumen adjacent to the opening of the physiological cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological cavity comprises an aneurysm. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring legs comprise at least a portion of the generally diamond-shaped framework structure. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable device of  claim 7 , wherein the anchoring legs are connected to and extend from the end points of the generally diamond-shaped framework structure. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring legs are configured to support the implantable device by contacting a vessel wall structure without damaging the vessel wall structure or associated tissue and without impeding flow in a parent vessel or neighboring vessels. 
     
     
         11 . An implantable device configured for deployment from a generally small delivery condition to a larger diameter deployed condition at an opening of a physiological cavity, the implantable device comprising:
 a substantially planar framework structure configured for bending into a U-shape for deployment, the framework structure characterized by:
 a longitudinal centerline joining two lateral areas of the framework structure; and 
 and an axial centerline joining two end points of two axial areas of the framework structure; 
   anchoring legs connected to and extending from the framework structure; and   anchoring leg extensions connected to and extending from the anchoring legs, the anchoring leg extensions each comprising a proximal junction configured for joining proximal ends the anchoring leg extensions.   
     
     
         12 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , further comprising a membrane structure extending within the framework structure, and when deployed and positioned, the membrane structure is configured to substantially cover across the opening of the physiological cavity and extend circumferentially to contact tissue on one or more sides of the opening of the physiological cavity or a vessel wall adjacent the opening of the physiological cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable device of  claim 12 , wherein the membrane structure is substantially impermeable to fluids. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , wherein in a deployed arrangement, the anchoring legs extend from the framework structure opposite one another and along substantially parallel, opposed planes. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring legs are sized and configured to contact tissue surface areas generally opposite one another on a neighboring lumen adjacent to the opening of the physiological cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring legs comprise at least a portion of the framework structure. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring legs are configured to support the implantable device by contacting a vessel wall structure without damaging the vessel wall structure or associated tissue and without impeding flow in a parent vessel or neighboring vessels. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable device of  claim 11 , wherein the framework structure is configured to collapse to fit within a lumen of a catheter, and wherein the framework structure is configured to self-expand to form the U-shape when deployed. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable device of  claim 18 , wherein the framework structure is configured to self-expand to form the U-shape when deployed without requiring an external force to maintain the U-shape. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable device of  claim 18 , wherein the framework structure is generally diamond-shaped.