Methods of and apparatus for treating vascular defects

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides improved methods and related devices for treating vascular defects.
According to one aspect of this invention, various magnetic objects are provided that can be delivered intravascularly through a catheter and which can be guided into and/or held in place in the vascular defect with an applied magnetic field.
One embodiment of these magnetic objects includes magnetic coils.
These coils may either be magnetic, or include magnetic elements.
Another embodiment of these magnetic objects includes a magnetic patch, adapted to cover the vascular defect.
The magnetic patch may include a hoop for ensuring that the patch is fully deployed.
In another aspect of this invention, a catheter is provided for delivering the magnetic objects and materials of the present invention.
The catheter has a proximal end and a distal end, and lumen therebetween.
There is a coil at the distal end, and leads extending along the catheter by which a current can be selectively applied to the coil at the distal end 26 of the catheter.
Current can be selectively applied to the coil on the distal end of the catheter to selectively enhance the magnetic responsiveness of the distal end of the catheter so that it can be navigated in the body with an externally applied magnetic field, but the coil can be disconnected from current so that the coil does not interfere with the delivery of magnetic objects or magnetic materials through the lumen.
The magnetism created by the current in the coil is enhanced by the presence of the magnetic objects or the magnetic material in the lumen of the catheter.
The coil can also be energized to help retain magnetic materials in the lumen of the catheter.
A second coil may be provided on the catheter to enhance magnetic responsive and to enhance the ability to retain magnetic materials in the lumen.
In another embodiment, lateral coils (as opposed to circumferential coils) are provided in the sidewall of the catheter.
These coils facilitate movement of the distal end 26 of the catheter, for example when it is n the opening of an aneurysm