Body passageway closure apparatus and method

Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for blocking a body passageway by inserting an expandable frame (40) into the passageway and expanding the frame (40) with an expandable balloon (46) to partially embed the frame (40) in the walls of the passageway. The frame (40) can carry a separate sealing membrane (36), or the balloon (46) can function as the sealing membrane. The sealing membrane (36), the frame (40), or the balloon (46) can also carry a clot promoting substance. The balloon (46) can be removed along with the inflation tube after the expansion procedure, if it is not serving as the sealing membrane (36), or the balloon (46) can be detached from the inflation tube and left in place, either as a sealing membrane or simply to lock the frame in place. The frame can be maintained in its expanded state by being plastically deformed during the expansion step.

Inventors

• 👤 Paul S. Teirstein

Bibliographic Details