| abstract |
The present invention provides aneurysm occlusion device (60, 160) formed from a resilient metal fabric, and a method for reliably and effectively occluding aneurysms. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the aneurysm devices include a body portion (80) which is sized to be received within an aneurysm and an anchor (70) which is sized, and may also be preformed into a specific shape to engage the lumen of a vessel having the aneurysm thereon. The aneurysm occlusion device (60) may also include a generally tubular central portion (62) extending between the body portion and the anchor, the central portion being sized and shaped to be received within the neck of the aneurysm. The present invention has particular advantages over prior minimally invasive techniques for occluding aneurysms in that it can both fill the aneurysm and occlude or 'stent' the neck of the aneurysm in one step. It also minimizes damage to healthy vessel tissue by localizing contact with the interior of the vessel. |