AU2012202380A1 - Three-dimensional complex coil - Google Patents

Abstract

A complex coil and a fixture for forming same configured such that loops are formed having various configurations relative to each other. The configurations provide improved thrombus formation and reduced rotation or tumbling once implanted. The complex coil is formed of a material that may deformed for purposes of placing the complex coil into a catheter and returns to a complex shape that includes said loops once deployed.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: MicroVention, Inc. Actual Inventor(s): Damian Jonathon Perez, Richard Monetti, Matthew Fitz, George Martinez Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPLEX COIL Our Ref: 940149 POF Code: 464741/476414 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1 6006q THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPLEX COIL CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS [0001] This application claims priority from, and incorporates by reference herein in their entireties U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/738,087, filed November 17, 2005, by Monetti et al. entitled Three Dimensional Complex Coil and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/822,656, filed August 17, 2006, by Monetti et al. entitled Three Dimensional Complex Coil. This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent No. 2006330786, the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The prior art contemplates a number of methods and devices for treating a body aneurysm using three-dimensional (3-D) shaped coils, sometimes referred to as "complex" coils. For example, Horton 5,766,219, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows a hollow structure. Phelps 5,382,259 and Ritchart 4,994,069, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, show other 3-D coil designs. Teoh 6,635,069, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, teaches a series of non overlapping loops. Wallace 6,860,893, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows complex coils. Ferrera 6,638,291, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows a device similar to Teoh's and Wallace's except that a J-shaped proximal segment extends away from the complex portion of the device. [0003] The following patents provide further background and are also incorporated herein by reference: Guglielmi 6,010,498; Gandhi 6,478,773; Schaefer 2002/0107534; Mariant 5,957,948; Pham 5,911,731; Lahille 4,957,501; Porter 2005/0192618; Wallace 2005/0192621. [0004] There is, however an ongoing need to provide more advanced and improved complex coils so as to provide better treatment of an aneurysm. - 1a - SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In one aspect, the invention includes a complex coil comprising a plurality of loops arranged to form a toroid. [0006] In another aspect, the invention includes a complex coil comprising a plurality of loops each contained within planes that intersect with each other at a common intersection axis. [0007] [0008] [0009] In another aspect, the invention includes a fixture for forming a complex coil comprising a toroid. [0010] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a complex coil comprising: wrapping a coiled wire around a toroid-shaped fixture; heat setting the coiled wire; removing the coiled wire from the fixture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] In order that the invention can be clearly ascertained, examples of embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011A] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fixture and a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; [0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; -2- [0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fixture and a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] Figures 5-8 are photographs of a complex coils around various fixtures of an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] Figures 9-10 are photographs of complex coils formed according to one of the methods of an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] Figure 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a complex coil of the present invention formed around a fixture of an embodiment of the present invention shown in phantom lines; [0018] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a complex coil of an embodiment of the present invention; [0020] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fixture of an embodiment of the present invention; [0021] Figure 15 is a front elevation of the fixture shown in Figure 14; and, [0022] Figures 16-19 are photographs of several complex coils formed using methods and fixtures according to an embodiment of the present invention. -3- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0023] Torold Three-Dimensional Coll [0024] Referring now to the figures and first to Figures 1-6, a coil or complex coil 10 is described that is shaped using a toroid-shaped fixture 12. The coil 10 has been wrapped around the fixture 12 four times in Figure 1 such that four loops 14 are formed, each loop being positioned approximately 90 degrees from the adjacent loops. Wrapping the coil 10 around the fixture 12 causes the coil 10 to form into a complex shape when deployed into a body cavity such as a blood vessel or aneurysm. The device may be made from a length of wire that has been helically wound to form an elongate coil wire. Alternatively, the wire may be braided or knitted by methods known in the art to form a secondary shape. The wire is preferably a memory metal, such as Nitinol, but may be platinum, tantalum, tungsten, stainless steel, or other biocompatible material. Other materials, such as Dacron or Nylon fibers, biodegradable polymers such as polylactic or polyglycolic acid, and expansible or non-expansible hydrogel materials may be placed inside or outside the coil or braid structure to enhance the performance of the device. [0025] For purposes of description only, an observation may be made regarding the shape of the complex coil 10 that results from wrapping the coiled wire around the toroid-shaped fixture 12. As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the loops 14a-d is roughly contained within respective planes 16a-d. The planes intersect with each other at approximately a common intersection axis 18 near the center of the complex coil 10. As one skilled in the art will realize, any loops formed around the toroid fixture 12 will only approximately be contained within such planes and the degree to which they are contained within these planes is only a function of how they are wound around the toroid and has little or no effect on their performance. [0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, any number of loops may be used in forming a complex coil of the present invention. In Figure 3, a complex coil 20 is formed by wrapping eight loops 22 around the toroid-shaped fixture 12. The loops 22 are relatively -4evenly spaced around the toroid 12 but may be spaced In any number of configurations. The result is the eight-looped complex coil 20 shown in Figure 4. [0027] Figures 5 and 6 show complex coils 30 being formed around a toroid fixture 12 using 16 loops 32. The loops 32 are grouped in sets of two such that only eight distinct loops appear. [0028] One example used to treat conditions, such as cerebral aneurysms, includes a platinum/tungsten alloy complex coil (92% Pt, 8% W available from Sigmund Cohn Mount Vernon, NY) with a diameter in the range of about .125 mm to about .625 mm and a length of about 5 mm to about 1000 mm. The complex coil is formed around a ceramic or metallic toroid-shaped fixture similar to the fixtures 12 shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6. The winding pattern shown in Figs. 1-6 forms a first loop 14a around the toroid 12, then a second loop 14b approximately 1800 around the toroid from the first loop. In this example, a figure 8 pattern is used to wind the first and second loops. A third loop 14c is then formed at an angle around the center of the toroid, typically 50 to 1750, to the second loop. A fourth loop 14d is formed using a figure 8 pattern from the third loop 14c. More loops 14 may be added depending on the desired device size. [0029] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one advantage to the toroid complex coil configuration is that it may be scaled to the size of the treatment site by changing the number of loops. For example, very small (.5-3 mm) lesions may be treated with 2 to 4 loop configurations, medium sized (4-10 mm) with 4-12 loop configurations, large (over 10 mm) with 8-36 loop configurations, and so on. The loops can form a closed structure such as an "0" shape (e.g. circle, oval, square, ellipse, star, etc.) or can be open such as a "C" or "U" shape. The loops may be of any dimension and are typically scaled to the approximate size of the treatment site. In the previous example, the loops may range from .5 mm diameter to 50 mm diameter. In this regard, "diameter" should not be narrowly construed to imply a circular dimension. Rather, "diameter" is used broadly to encompass the approximate size and shape of a loop. -5- [0030] After winding, the fixture and complex coil are heat-set by methods known in the art. For example, a typical annealing step for platinum complex coils is approximately 11000 F for 5-40 minutes. [0031] Once annealed, the complex coil will approximately retain the wound shape when substantially unconstrained or in its minimum energy state. The complex coil may then be subject to further processing such as forming a tip, adding a coupling mechanism for attachment to a delivery system, placing hydrogel or fibers onto or within the complex coil, placing a stretch resistant member Inside or outside the complex coil, etc. The complex coil can then be attached to a delivery system, which Is well known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 11/212,830, entitled Thermal Detachment System for Implantable Devices, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference hererin. Other examples of delivery systems are disclosed in Guglielmi 6,010,498 or Gandhi 6,478,773. Once attached to the delivery pusher, the complex coil is placed in a substantially linear configuration within a tube for delivery to the treatment site. [0032] In a typical procedure, the linear complex coil is fed through a conduit such as a microcatheter by advancing it through the conduit with the delivery pusher. Upon exiting the microcatheter, the complex coil then self-forms into a structure within the treatment site that approximates its annealed shape. [0033] The fixture 12 used to create the implant is shown as a closed circular toroid. However, other non-circular shapes such as elliptical, square, and star-shaped patterns may be used. In addition, the toroid does not need to be a closed structure. In fact, it may be easier to wind if a gap Is left within the structure so that tension can be kept on the complex coil by hanging a weight. [0034] Cruciform Three-Dimensional Coil [0035] Referring now to Figures 7-12, the production of complex coils 40 are shown using a fixture 42 that includes a plurality of pins 44 arranged at right angles to each other. Like the embodiments shown In Figures 1-6, the embodiments of the complex coils 40 formed using the fixture 42 in Figures 7-12 may be made from a length of wire -6that has been helically wound to form a coiled wire. Alternatively, the wire may be braided or knitted by methods known in the art to form a secondary shape. The wire may be platinum, tantalum, tungsten, stainless steel, Nitinol, or other biocompatible material. Other materials, such as Dacron or Nylon fibers, biodegradable polymers such as polylactic or polyglycolic acid, and expansible or non-expansible hydrogel materials may be placed inside or outside the complex coil or braid structure to enhance the performance of the device. By way of example only, one embodiment might be used to treat such conditions as cerebral aneurysms, employs a platinum/tungsten alloy complex coil 10 (92% PT, 8% W available from Sigmund Cohn Mount Vernon, NY) with a diameter in the range of about .125 mm to about .625 mm and a length of about 5 mm to about 1000 mm. [0036] The complex coil 40 is formed by wrapping a coiled wire around the fixture 42, as shown in Figures 7-8. The fixture 42 is preferably a ceramic or metallic cruciform fixture and includes a plurality of pins 44 arranged at right angles to each other along axes x, y, and z. More specifically, the fixture 42 Includes two pins 44x that are parallel to the x-axis, two pins 44y that are parallel to the y-axis, and two pins 44z that are parallel to the z-axis. [0037] An example of a complex coil 40 that can be made using the fixture 42 of Figures 7-8 is shown in Figures 9-12. The winding pattern in this embodiment, shown most clearly in Figures 11-12, forms a first loop 46a around a first pin 44y 1 , then a second loop 46b around a second pin 44x 1 that is disposed at an angle to the first pin 44y 1 . In this embodiment the angle between the loops 46a and 46b is approximately 45*-135. A third loop 46c is then formed in approximately the same plane as the second loop 46b. In this example, the third loop 46c is formed around pin 44x 2 in a figure 8 pattern with the second loop 46b. A fourth loop 46d is then formed at an angle with the third loop 46c. In this example, the fourth loop 46d is approximately 45 0 -135 0 to the third loop and is formed around pin 44y2 and is also approximately coplanar to the first loop 46a. A fifth loop 46e is then formed at an angle to the fourth loop 46d by wrapping the wire around pin 44x 1 spaced apart from loop 46b, also formed around pin 44x,. A sixth loop 46f lies in approximately the same plane as the fifth loop 46e in a figure 8 pattern with the fifth loop 46e. The sixth loop 46f is formed by wrapping the wire -7around pin 44x 2 spaced apart from loop 46c, which is also formed around pin 44x 2 . In this example, the fifth loop 46e and the sixth loop 46f are approximately concentric with the second loop 46b and the third loop 46c, respectively. [0038] Fewer than six loops may be used to form shorter complex coils, while additional loops may be wound to make a longer device. For example, the pins 44z shown in Figures 7-8 extend through the pins 44x and 44y and are thus being used to hold the pins 44x and 44y in place. However, if a longer device is desired, loops could be formed by wrapping wire around the portions of the pins 44z extending from the pins 44 y. [0039] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same final result could be obtained by reversing the just-described winding pattern: i.e. winding a first loop around a first pin, winding a second loop in approximately the same plane as the first loop, winding a third loop at an angle to the second loop, winding a fourth loop at an angle to the third loop, winding a fifth loop in approximately the same plane as the fourth loop, winding a sixth loop at an angle to the fifth loop, and so on. [0040] The loops can form a closed structure such as an "0" shape (e.g. circle, oval, square, ellipse, star, etc.) or can be open such as a "C" or "U" shape. The loops may be of any dimension and are typically scaled to the approximate size of the treatment site. In the previous example, the loops may range from .5 mm diameter to 50 mm diameter. In this regard, "diameter" should not be narrowly construed to imply a circular dimension. Rather, diameter is used broadly to encompass the approximate size and shape of a loop. [0041] For example, the coil 50 shown in Figure 13 has loops 52 that are open and closed. The open loops are formed by wrapping a wire around a pin but transitioning to an adjacent pin prior to completing an overlapping loop. More specifically, the complex coil 50 of Figure 13 has six loops 52a-f formed using the fixture 42 of Figures 7 and B. Loop 52a is a complete loop formed around one of the pins 44y. The wire is then wrapped in a figure 8 pattern around two adjacent pins 44x to form open loops 52b and 52c. The wire is next wrapped completely around the other y pin, 44y to form complete -8loop 52d. Next, the wire is wrapped in a figure 8 pattern around the two pins 44y on the opposite side of pins 44x to form loops 52e and 52f. The loop 52e is open but the loop 52f is closed, being the last loop. [0042] Further complexity may be introduced using the fixture 60 shown in Figures 14-15. The fixture 60 In Figures 14-15 also has a plurality of pins 62 but differs from the fixture 42 in Figures 7 and 8 in three substantive ways. First, the pins 62 extend in directions parallel with x- and y-axes, but there are no pins that extend parallel to a z axis. Rather, rectangular blocks 64 extend along the z-axis. Second, there are only two concentric pins, 62x 1 and 62x 2 that extend parallel to the x-axis. Third, there are four pins 62yA, each having independent longitudinal axes. Winding using the fixture 60 results in complex coils 70 such as those shown in Figures 16-19. These figures show a complex coil 70 with first and second loops, 74a and 74b, that are substantially coplanar and arranged in a figure 8 patten, as well as third and forth loops, 74c and 74d that are similarly substantially coplanar and arranged in a figure 8 pattern that is rotated from the figure 8 pattern of the first and second loops, 74a and 74b. The examples shown in Figures 16-19 show the two figure 8 patterns rotated 90 degrees relative to each other. Additionally, the complex coils 70 include fifth and sixth loops, 74e and 74f, which are relatively concentric. [0043] After winding, the fixture and complex coil are heat-set by methods known in the art. For example, a typical annealing step for platinum complex coils is approximately 11000 F for 5-60 minutes. [0044] Once annealed, the complex coil will approximately retain the wound shape when substantially in a minimal energy state. The complex coil may then be subject to further processing such as forming a tip, adding a coupling mechanism for attachment to a delivery system, placing hydrogel or fibers onto or within the complex coil, placing a stretch resistant member inside or outside the complex coil, etc. The complex coil can then be attached to a delivery system, which is well known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 11/212,830, entitled Thermal Detachment System for Implantable Devices, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference hererin. Other examples of delivery systems are disclosed in Guglielmi -9- 6,010,498 or Gandhi 6,478,773. Once attached to the delivery pusher, the complex coil 10 is placed in a substantially linear configuration within a tube for delivery to the treatment site. [0045] In the typical procedure, the linear complex coil is fed through a conduit such as a microcatheter by advancing it through the conduit with the delivery pusher. Upon exiting the microcatheter, the complex coil then self-forms into a structure within the treatment site that approximates its annealed shape. [0046] Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. [0047] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. [0048] The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. - 10-

Claims (20)

1. A complex coil comprising a plurality of loops arranged to form a toroid.

2. The complex coil of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of loops is positioned at about 90 degrees from adjacent loops.

3. The complex coil of claim 1, wherein each of said loops is substantially contained within one of a plurality of planes and wherein said plurality of planes intersect with each other at a common intersection axis.

4. The complex coil of claim 1, wherein said plurality of loops further comprises several groups of two adjacent loops.

5. The complex coil of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said toroid is a closed shape.

6. The complex coil of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said toroid is an open shape.

7. A complex coil comprising a plurality of loops each contained within planes that intersect with each other at a common intersection axis.

8. The complex coil of claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of loops is substantially evenly spaced in a toroid shape.

9. The complex coil of claim 7, wherein said plurality of loops form an open toroid shape.

10. A fixture for forming a complex coil comprising a toroid.

11. The fixture of claim 10, wherein said toroid comprises an open toroid.

12. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said toroid comprises a closed toroid.

13. A method of forming a complex coil comprising: wrapping a coiled wire around a toroid-shaped fixture; heat setting the coiled wire; removing the coiled wire from the fixture. - 11 -

14. The method of claim 13, wherein wrapping a coiled wire around a toroid shaped fixture comprises passing the coiled wire through a centre of the fixture and around an outside of the fixture a plurality of times, thereby forming a plurality of loops.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein forming a plurality of loops comprises forming four loops around the fixture, each loop spaced approximately 90 degrees from adjacent loops.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising assessing a size of an aneurysm in which the complex coil is to be placed and determining a number of loops to be formed based said aneurysm size.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein heat setting the coiled wire comprises heating the coiled wire to 1100* F. for a predetermined period of time.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein heating the coiled wire to 11000 F. for a predetermined period of time comprises heating the coiled wire to 11000 F. for 5 to 60 minutes.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said wrapping a coiled wire around a toroid shaped fixture further comprises forming at least 2 loops.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said wrapping a coiled wire around a toroid shaped fixture further comprises forming between 8 and 36 loops. - 12-