Methods and devices for treatment of vascular defects

Abstract

Methods of implanting a device in the lumen of a blood vessel are described. The method includes providing a microcatheter and a device. The device includes a first hub, a second hub, a support structure including a plurality of struts disposed between the first hub and the second hub, and a layer of material disposed over the plurality of struts. The support structure has a low profile, radially constrained state with an elongated tubular configuration suitable for delivery from a microcatheter. The support structure also has an expanded state, a smooth outer surface, and has an axially shortened configuration relative to the radially constrained state. The microcatheter is advanced to a region of interest within the blood vessel. The support structure is advanced through the lumen of and out the distal end of the microcatheter where it expands to the expanded state.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A cerebral aneurysm occlusion device, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a plurality of elongate support members;   each of the plurality of elongate support members having first and second ends; each of the plurality of elongate support members are inverted such that the first and second ends of each of the plurality of elongate support members are gathered at a proximal region of the support structure;   wherein the support structure comprises a radially constrained delivery state and an expanded deployed state.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members is a plurality of wires. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of elongate support members starts at the proximal region of the support structure, extends to an apex at a distal region of the support structure, and extends back to the proximal region of the support structure, thereby forming a loop. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members forms a convex surface in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members forms a substantially flat surface in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the cerebral aneurysm shrinks into a cavity during healing. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising an opening at a distal end of the support structure when the support structure is in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the proximal region of the device is straight with a circular end. 
     
     
         29 . A cerebral aneurysm occlusion system, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a plurality of elongate support members;   each of the plurality of elongate support members having first and second ends; each of the plurality of elongate support members being inverted such that the first and second ends of each of the plurality of elongate support members are gathered at a proximal region of the device;   the support structure having a radially constrained state and an expanded deployed state; wherein the radially constrained state comprises an elongated tubular configuration having a low profile suitable for delivery from a microcatheter.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members is a plurality of wires. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein each of the plurality of elongate support members starts at the proximal region of the support structure, extends to an apex at a distal region of the support structure, and extends back to the proximal region of the support structure, thereby forming a loop. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members forms a convex surface in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members forms a substantially flat surface in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the cerebral aneurysm shrinks into a cavity during healing. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising an opening at a distal end of the support structure when the support structure is in the expanded deployed state. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal region of the device is straight with a circular end. 
     
     
         37 . A method of treating a cerebral aneurysm within a cerebral vasculature of a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing a microcatheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;   providing a support structure having first and second ends, wherein the support structure comprises:
 a plurality of elongate support members each having first and second ends; 
 each of the plurality of elongate support members having first and second ends; each of the plurality of elongate support members being inverted such that the first and second ends of each of the plurality of elongate support members are gathered at a proximal region of the support structure; 
 wherein the support structure comprises a radially constrained state and an expanded deployed state, wherein the radially constrained state comprises an elongated configuration having a low profile suitable for delivery from the microcatheter; 
   advancing the distal end of the microcatheter to a region of interest within a cerebral artery;   advancing the support structure through the lumen and out of the distal end of the microcatheter such that the support structure deploys within the cerebral aneurysm, wherein the support structure expands to the expanded deployed state within the cerebral aneurysm; and   withdrawing the microcatheter from the cerebral vasculature and from the patient.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members is a plurality of wires. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein each of the plurality of elongate support members starts at the proximal region of the support structure, extends to an apex at a distal region of the support structure, and extends back to the proximal region of the support structure, thereby forming a loop. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of elongate support members forms a convex surface in the expanded deployed state.