Shape-memory polymer foam device for treating aneurysms

Inventors

Ortega, Jason M. • Benett, William J. • Small, Ward • Wilson, Thomas S. • Maitland, Duncan J • Hartman, Jonathan

Assignees

Texas A&M University System • Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC • Shape Memory Medical Inc

Abstract

A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an endovascular apparatus to treat an aneurysm in a blood vessel. The aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck, and the apparatus includes a shape memory polymer foam to be boated in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck.

The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size, where the second pore size is larger than the first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size are configured to be located in the neck of the aneurysm.

The apparatus further includes at least one fluid transport channel that includes a first portion in a first peripheral wall of the shape memory polymer foam, a second portion in a second peripheral wall of the shape memory polymer foam, and a third portion that couples the first and second portions to each other. The third portion includes at least one of the first and second multiplicities of pores, and the pore structure supports pore-size gradation configured for permeability/permeation and thrombus and collagen formation while preserving parent-vessel flow.

Embodiments described include continuous or discrete pore gradation in one or multiple foam pieces, including optional non-porous SMP coatings and non-porous baffles embedded within the foam. For fusiform aneurysms, embodiments include internal blood-transport channels and external dimples, and additional embodiments include partial filling or a void at the dome with an impermeable layer at the neck.

Claims Coverage

The document includes one independent claim defining an apparatus with a shape memory polymer foam having two pore-size populations and a fluid transport channel geometry, with dependent claims further constraining structural implementations and additional construction features. The independent claim specifies inventive features centered on pore multiplicity distribution, coupled peripheral-wall fluid transport channel portions, and coupling via pore-including third portions.

Overall, claim coverage centers on placing smaller pores in the aneurysm neck and larger pores in the dome within a shape memory polymer foam, combined with a fluid transport channel defined between peripheral wall portions that are coupled through a third portion including at least one pore multiplicity. Dependent claims further refine structural implementation, including monolithic foam mounting, embedded non-porous baffles, and geometric constraints on pore extension along a defined axis through pore-containing regions.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications