Endovascular electrolytically detachable wire and tip for the formation of thrombus in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas

Abstract

An artery, vein, aneurysm, vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occlusion if formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire. Electrothrombosis is facilitate by placing the ground electrode on the distal end of the microcatheter and flowing current between the microcatheter electrode and the tip.

1. A method for forming an occlusion within a body cavity comprising the steps of:
 disposing a wire near an opening into said cavity; 
 disposing a distal tip of said wire into said cavity to pack said cavity to mechanically form said occlusion within said cavity about said distal tip; and 
 detaching said distal tip from said wire to leave said distal tip within said cavity without applying any force by said distal tip to any surface within said body cavity, 
 whereby said cavity is occluded by said distal tip. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of detaching said distal tip from said wire comprises the step of mechanically detaching said distal tip from said wire. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  where said wire and tip are used within a catheter and where in said step of detaching said distal tip from said wire, said wire and tip are longitudinally displaced within said catheter, said catheter having a radio-opaque proximal marker, said wire and tip having collectively a single radio-opaque marker, said displacement of said wire and tip moving said single radio-opaque marker to the proximity of said proximal marker on said catheter when said tip is fully deployed. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of disposing said tip into said cavity to pack said cavity comprises the step of disposing a long flexible tip folded upon itself a multiple number of times to pack said cavity. 
     
     
       5. A method for forming an occlusion within a cavity comprising the steps of:
 disposing a wire near an opening into said cavity; 
 disposing a distal tip of said wire into said cavity to pack said cavity to mechanically form said occlusion within said cavity about said distal tip, and 
 detaching said distal tip from said wire to leave said distal tip within said cavity without applying any force by said distal tip to any surface within said cavity, 
 where said step of disposing said tip into said cavity to pack said cavity comprises the step of disposing a tip having a plurality of filaments extending therefrom to pack said cavity, 
 whereby said cavity is occluded by said distal tip. 
 
     
     
       6. A wire for use in formation of an occlusion within a cavity used in combination with a catheter comprising: a core wire having a tip portion end; and a detachable elongate tip portion extending said core wire adapted to being packed into said cavity to form said occlusion in said cavity, said detachable elongate tip portion being temporarily coupled to said distal end of said core wire and detachable from said core wire without applying any force by said distal tip to any surface within said body cavity, whereby occlusion of said cavity can be performed. 
     
     
       7. The wire of  claim 6  wherein said elongate tip portion is a long and substantially pliable segment adapted to be multiply folded upon itself to substantially pack said cavity. 
     
     
       8. The wire of  claim 6  wherein said catheter has a pair of radioopaque markers disposed thereon and wherein said core wire has a radioopaque marker disposed thereon, said marker on said core wire being positioned in the proximity of one of said pair of markers on said catheter when said core wire is deployed, said other marker on said catheter indicating the distal end of said catheter. 
     
     
       9. The wire of  claim 6  where said core wire and tip portion are coupled by polyester. 
     
     
       10. A wire for use in formation of an occlusion within a cavity used in combination with a catheter comprising:
 a core wire having a distal end; and a detachable elongate tip portion extending from said core wire and adapted to being packed into said cavity to form said occlusion in said cavity, said detachable elongate tip portion being temporarily coupled to said distal end of said core wire and detachable from said core wire without applying any force by said tip portion to any surface within said body cavity, 
 wherein said elongate tip portion is a segment adapted to be disposed in said cavity and having a plurality of filaments extending therefrom to substantially pack said cavity when disposed therein, whereby occlusion of said cavity can be performed.