Inverting braided aneurysm treatment system and method

Abstract

An example system can include a tubular braid, a catheter, and an embolic coil. The tubular braid can have an open end, a pinched end, and a predetermined shape. In the predetermined shape, the tubular braid can have two inversions and a middle segment extending between the two inversions that forms a sack. The tubular braid can be implanted in an implanted shape based on the predetermined shape. A distal end of the catheter can be inserted into the sack when the tubular braid is implanted. The embolic coil can be delivered through the catheter into the sack. The opening to the sack can correspond to a constricted columnar segment of the middle segment when the braid is in the predetermined shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 delivering a braid, in a delivery configuration, via attachment to a delivery system, through a catheter, the braid comprising an exterior surface in the delivery configuration;   creating a braided sack within an aneurysm sac, the braided sack comprising an interior surface that corresponds to an exterior surface of the braid in the delivery configuration;   detaching the braid from the delivery system such that the braid is in an implanted shape within the aneurysm sac; and   after detaching the braid from the delivery system, inserting an embolic coil into the braided sack.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 apposing a first portion of the braid to an aneurysm wall;   creating a proximal inversion by inverting the braid approximate an aneurysm neck; and   creating a distal inversion by inverting the braid within the aneurysm sac so that the braided sack extends between the proximal inversion and the distal inversion.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 encircling the braided sack with an open end of the first portion while the braid is within the aneurysm sac in the implanted shape.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the implanted shape is based in part on a predetermined shape of the braid and based in part on the geometry of the aneurysm sac. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after detaching the braid from the delivery system, allowing the braid to self-anchor within the aneurysm.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 expanding the braided sack with the embolic coil.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detaching the braid from the delivery system further comprises:
 releasing a pinched end of the braid from the delivery system so that the pinched end is suspended within the braided sack.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detaching the braid from the delivery system further comprises:
 releasing a pinched end of the braid from the delivery system so that the pinched end is positioned approximate a plane defined by the aneurysm neck.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the delivery configuration, a pinched end of the braid is in contact with the delivery system and the braid extends in a single layer tubular shape in a distal direction from the pinched end to a distal open end of the braid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein, in the predetermined shape, the braid comprises:
 an open end;   a pinched end; and   a first segment extending from the open end to a first inversion, a second segment extending from the first inversion to the second inversion and forming a sack comprising an opening approximate the first inversion, and a third segment surrounded by the second segment and extending from the second inversion to the pinched end.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the implanted shape is based on the predetermined shape, and
 wherein, when in the implanted shape, at least a portion of the first segment is configured to be positioned to contact a cavity wall of the substantially spherical cavity, a proximal inversion corresponding to the first inversion of the predetermined shape is configured to be positioned at an entrance to the substantially spherical cavity, the sack is configured to be positioned within the substantially spherical cavity, the opening of the sack is accessible at the entrance to the substantially spherical cavity, and the opening is configured to receive the distal end of the catheter into the sack and is resilient to expand to receive the distal end of the catheter and twist when the catheter is removed from the opening to thereby inhibit access to the sack via the opening.