Brian K Cox

US Patent:

6375669, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Dec 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/471507

Inventors:

Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

MicroVention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

606200, 606194, 606108

Abstract:

Apparatus for vascular embolization, deployable through a microcatheter, includes a flexible, elongate deployment tube dimensioned for insertion through the microcatheter, and a filamentous embolic device releasably attached to the distal end of the tube. The embolic device is controllably transformable from a soft, compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state. The embolic device may include a polymeric material that is transformable by contact with vascular blood or with a liquid that is cooler than vascular blood, or it may include a metallic material that is transformable by electrolytic corrosion. The embolic device may be a continuous filamentous polymeric extrusion; an elongate microcoil filled with polymeric material; an elongate, multi-segmented chain including polymeric interconnecting portions; or an elongate chain of metal segments that are fused together by electrolytic corrosion. An aneurysm is embolized with this apparatus by deploying a microcatheter so that its distal end is adjacent the aneurysm; deploying the embolic device through the microcatheter and into the aneurysm so that the embolic device forms a web-like mass in the aneurysm; and transforming the embolic device from its soft, compliant state to its rigid or semi-rigid state. The embolic device is advantageously deployed by releasably attaching it to a flexible, elongate deployment tube that is passed through the microcatheter, and then detaching the embolic device from the tube when the embolic device is suitably situated.

US Patent:

6500190, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Dec 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/730071

Inventors:

Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

MicroVention - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

606191, 623 121

Abstract:

A vascular implant formed of a compressible foam material has a compressed configuration from which it is expansible into a configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a vascular site to be embodied. Preferably, the implant is formed of a hydrophobic, macro porous foam material, having an initial configuration of a scaled-down model of the vascular site, from which it is compressible into the compressed configuration. The implant is made by scanning the vascular site to create a digitized scan data set; using the scan data set to create a three-dimensional digitized virtual model of the vascular site; using the virtual model to create a scaled-down physical mold of the vascular site; and using the mold to create a vascular implant in the form of a scaled-down model of the vascular site. To embolism a vascular site, the implant is compressed and passed through a micro catheter, the distal end of which has been passed into a vascular site. Upon entering the vascular site, the implant expands in situ substantially to fill the vascular site.

US Patent:

6511492, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

May 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/071561

Inventors:

Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

MicroVention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606159, 606200

Abstract:

Embolectomy catheters, rapid exchange microcatheters, systems and methods for removing obstructive matter (e. g. , thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherschlerotic plaque, foreign objects, etc. ) from blood vessels. This invention is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters of this invention are advanceable over a guidewire which has been pre-inserted through or around the obstructive matter. Also, in some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters include obstructive matter capturing receptacles which are deployable from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the obstructive matter. Such obstructive matter capturing receptacles may include i) at least one proximal strut which are designed to be retractable through a blood clot and ii) a distal matter-receiving portion which is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough.

US Patent:

6602261, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

May 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/867340

Inventors:

Gregory M. Cruise - Rancho Santa Margarita CA
Michael Constant - Mission Viejo CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Microvention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61F 1100

US Classification:

606108

Abstract:

An embolization device includes one or more expansible, hydrophilic embolizing elements non-releasably carried along the length of a filamentous carrier that is preferably made of a very thin, highly flexible filament or microcoil of nickel/titanium alloy. At least one expansile embolizing element is non-releasably attached to the carrier. A first embodiment includes a plurality of embolizing elements fixed to the carrier at spaced-apart intervals along its length. In a second embodiment, an elongate, continuous, coaxial embolizing element is non-releasably fixed to the exterior surface of the carrier, extending along a substantial portion of the length of the carrier proximally from a distal tip. In either of the embodiments, the embolizing elements may be made of a hydrophilic, macroporous, polymeric, hydrogel foam material. In the second embodiment, the elongate embolizing element is preferably made of a porous, environmentally-sensitive, expansile hydrogel that expands, after a predetermined time delay, in response to a change in an environmental parameter, such as pH or temperature.

US Patent:

6605101, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Sep 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/671021

Inventors:

Dean Schaefer - Laguna Hills CA
Horacio Almazan - Rancho Santa Margarita CA
David A. Ferrera - Manhattan Beach CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Microvention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

606191, 606198, 623 1

Abstract:

A vaso-occlusive device includes a microcoil formed into a minimum energy state secondary configuration comprising a plurality of curved segments, each defining a discrete axis, whereby the device, in its minimum energy state configuration, defines multiple axes. In a preferred embodiment, the minimum energy state secondary configuration comprises a plurality of tangentially-interconnected, substantially circular loops defining a plurality of discrete axes. In an alternative embodiment, the minimum energy state secondary configuration defines a wave-form like structure comprising a longitudinal array of laterally-alternating open loops defining a plurality of separate axes. In either embodiment, the device, in its minimum energy state secondary configuration, has a dimension that is substantially larger than the largest dimension of the vascular site in which the device is to be deployed. Thus, when the device is deployed in an aneurysm, the confinement of the device within the aneurysm causes the device to assume a three-dimensional configuration that has a higher energy state than the minimum energy state. Because the minimum energy state of the device is larger (in at least one dimension) than the aneurysm, the deployed device is constrained by its intimate contact with the walls of the aneurysm from returning to its minimum energy state configuration.

US Patent:

6607538, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Oct 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/692248

Inventors:

David A. Ferrera - Manhattan Beach CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA
Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Microvention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61F 1100

US Classification:

606108, 606194, 604 9301

Abstract:

A mechanism for the deployment of an endovascular device having a coupling element attached to its proximal end, includes a deployment tube having a proximal end, a distal section, open distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. A retention sleeve, fixed around the distal section, includes an extension extending past the distal end of the tube. The retention sleeve is fixed around the coupling element, so that the coupling element is releasably held within the extension. In use, the deployment tube, with the implant attached to its distal end, is passed intravascularly until the device is deployed within a target site. A liquid is injected through the lumen so as to push the coupling element out of the retention sleeve by fluid pressure, thereby detaching the endovascular device from the deployment tube.

US Patent:

6685722, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/437530

Inventors:

Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA
Thomas R. Sternweiler - Laguna Niguel CA
Sean L. Chow - Tustin CA
Richard R. Monetti - San Clemente CA

Assignee:

MicroVention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

606200, 606159

Abstract:

Embolectomy catheters, rapid exchange microcatheters, systems and methods for removing clots or other obstructive matter (e. g. , thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, foreign objects, etc. ) from blood vessels. This invention is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters of this invention are advanceable with or over a guidewire which has been pre-inserted through or around the clot. Also, in some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters include clot removal devices which are deployable from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the clot. The clot removal device may include a deployable wire nest that is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough. The delivery catheter may include telescoping inner and outer tubes, with the clot removal device being radially constrained by the outer tube.

US Patent:

6689141, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/143724

Inventors:

David A. Ferrera - Manhattan Beach CA
Brian J. Cox - Laguna Niguel CA
Robert F. Rosenbluth - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

MicroVention, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61F 1100

US Classification:

606108, 606194

Abstract:

A mechanism for the deployment of a filamentous endovascular device includes a flexible deployment tube having an open proximal end, and a coupling element attached to the proximal end of the endovascular device. The deployment tube includes a distal section terminating in an open distal end, with a lumen defined between the proximal and distal ends. A retention sleeve is fixed around the distal section and includes a distal extension extending a short distance past the distal end of the deployment tube. The endovascular device is attached to the distal end of the deployment tube by fixing the retention sleeve around the coupling element, so that the coupling element is releasably held within the distal extension of the deployment tube. In use, the deployment tube, with the implant attached to its distal end, is passed intravascularly through a microcatheter to a target vascular site until the endovascular device is located within the site. To detach the endovascular device from the deployment tube, a liquid is injected through the lumen of the deployment tube so as to apply pressure to the upstream side of the coupling element, which is thus pushed out of the retention sleeve by the fluid pressure.