U.S. patent application number 15/937545 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-02 for implantable damping devices for treating dementia and associated systems and methods of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Brain Protection Company PTY LTD. Invention is credited to David Stephen Celermajer, Johnathon Choi, Zoran Milijasevic, Anthony John Ujhazy, Mike Wallace.
Application Number | 20180214157 15/937545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57983197 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180214157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Celermajer; David Stephen ;
et al. |
August 2, 2018 |
IMPLANTABLE DAMPING DEVICES FOR TREATING DEMENTIA AND ASSOCIATED
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods for reducing stress on a blood
vessel are disclosed herein. A damping device configured in
accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include
an anchoring member coupled to a flexible, compliant damping member
including a generally tubular sidewall having an outer surface, an
inner surface defining a lumen configured to direct blood flow, a
first end portion and a second end portion, and a damping region
between the first and second end portions, The inner and outer
surfaces of the damping member can be spaced apart by a distance
that is greater at the damping region than at either of the first
or second end. portions. When blood flows through the damping
member during systole, the damping member absorbs a portion of the
pulsatile energy of the blood, thereby reducing a magnitude of the
pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the blood vessel distal
to the damping device,
Inventors: |
Celermajer; David Stephen;
(Vaucluse, AU) ; Ujhazy; Anthony John; (East
Lindfield, AU) ; Wallace; Mike; (Pleasanton, CA)
; Milijasevic; Zoran; (Bayview, AU) ; Choi;
Johnathon; (West Pennant Hills, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Brain Protection Company PTY LTD |
Paddington |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
57983197 |
Appl. No.: |
15/937545 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15234796 |
Aug 11, 2016 |
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15937545 |
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|
62341575 |
May 25, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2002/068 20130101;
A61B 2017/1132 20130101; A61B 17/12136 20130101; A61B 17/12181
20130101; A61F 2/06 20130101; A61B 17/11 20130101; A61B 17/1214
20130101; A61F 2/07 20130101; A61B 17/12036 20130101; A61B
2017/1107 20130101; A61F 2/848 20130101; A61B 17/12109 20130101;
A61B 17/12172 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/12 20060101
A61B017/12; A61F 2/07 20130101 A61F002/07; A61B 17/11 20060101
A61B017/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 13, 2015 |
AU |
2015903253 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A device for treating or slowing one or more effects of
dementia, comprising: a flexible damping member forming a generally
tubular structure having an outer surface, an inner surface that
undulates in a longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal dimension
configured to be positioned in apposition with an outer surface of
a wall of an artery; and an abating substance within the flexible
damping member that moves longitudinally along the tubular
structure, wherein the flexible damping member is configured to be
positioned around at least a portion of a circumference of the
artery wall such that, when a pulse wave traveling through the
artery applies a stress at a first location along a length of the
tubular structure, at least a portion of the abating substance
moves longitudinally from the first location to a second location
along the length of the tubular structure.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the outer surface has a
generally cylindrical shape or an undulating shape.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein the generally tubular structure
includes a sidewall having an inner diameter, and, when the
flexible damping member is in a deployed state, the inner diameter
increases then decreases in a longitudinal direction.
24. The device of claim 21, further comprising a structural element
coupled to the flexible damping member.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein the structural element is
positioned radially outwardly of the flexible damping member and
extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the
flexible damping member.
26. The device of claim 21 wherein the flexible damping member
includes a longitudinal slot extending along its length configured
to position the flexible damping member around the portion of the
circumference of the artery.
27. The device of claim 26, further comprising cooperating sealing
arrangements located on or near opposing edges of the longitudinal
slot configured to join the opposing edges together once the
flexible damping member has been fitted around the artery.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the cooperating sealing
arrangements are selected from the group consisting of a suture, a
staple, and an adhesive.
29. The device of claim 21 wherein the abating substance is
selected from a liquid, a gas, and a gel.
30. The device of claim 21 wherein the flexible damping member
includes a proximal damping element and a distal damping
element.
31. The device of claim 30 wherein the flexible damping member
includes channels extending between the proximal damping element
and the distal damping element.
32. The device of claim 31 wherein the channels extend
longitudinally and fluidly couple the proximal damping element to
the distal damping element.
33. The device of claim 31 wherein, when the flexible damping
member is positioned around the portion of the artery wall, the
flexible damping member does not constrain the diameter of the
artery wall.
34. A method for treating or slowing one or more effects of
dementia, comprising: positioning a flexible damping member in
apposition with an outer wall of an artery that delivers blood to
the brain, the flexible damping member comprising an elastic,
generally tubular sidewall having an outer surface and an
undulating inner surface, and an abating substance; and
redistributing at least a portion of the abating substance
longitudinally along a length of the flexible damping member in
response to a pulse wave traveling through blood in the artery
thereby attenuating at least a portion of an energy of the pulse
wave.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the portion of the abating
substance is redistributed longitudinally from a first location
along the length of the flexible damping member to a second
location along the length of the flexible damping member.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the first location is positioned
within a proximal damping element of the flexible damping member
and the second location is positioned with in a distal damping
element of the flexible damping member.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the abating substance moves
through a channel that fluidly couples the proximal damping element
to the distal damping element.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the redistributed abating
substance increases a volume of the distal damping element.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein, after the abating substance is
redistributed from the first location to the second location, a
first inner diameter of the flexible damping member increases at
the axial location while a second inner diameter decreases at the
second location.
40. The method of claim 39 wherein, as a wavefront of the pulse
wave travels through the blood in the artery, a portion of the
artery aligned with the wavefront dilates thereby applying a stress
to the distal damping element and forcing at least a portion of the
abating substance in the distal damping element to move proximally
within the flexible damping member.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein the decreased second inner
diameter impedes at least a portion of blood flow in the
artery.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein a contour of at least one of the
inner surface and the outer surface changes when at least the
portion of the abating substance is redistributed longitudinally
along the length of the flexible damping member
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the contour changes by
expanding at least one of the inner diameter and the outer diameter
of the flexible damping member in response to an increase in blood
pressure; and contracting at least one of the inner diameter and
the outer diameter of the flexible damping member in response to a
decrease in blood pressure.
44. A method of treating a blood vessel selected from a left common
carotid artery, a right common carotid artery or a brachiocephalic
artery, a branch of any of the foregoing, and an ascending aorta,
the method comprising: positioning an elastically deformable
material having an undulating inner surface around the blood vessel
such that the undulating inner surface is in apposition with an
outer wall of the blood vessel; and attaching a first edge of the
elastically deformable material to an opposing second edge of the
elastically deformable material.
45. The method of claim 44, further including stretching the
elastically deformable material in response to a pulse wave
travelling through the blood vessel.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein the elastically deformable
material comprises an abating substance that is redistributed
longitudinally from a first location along a length of the
elastically deformable material to a second axial location along
the length of the elastically deformable material in response to
the pulse wave.
47. The method of claim 45, further comprising attaching the first
edge of the elastically deformable material to the second edge by
engaging cooperating sealing arrangements on or near the first edge
with corresponding cooperating sealing arrangements on or near the
second edge of the elastically deformable material.
48. The method of claim 46 wherein, after the abating substance is
redistributed longitudinally from the first location to the second
location, a first inner diameter of the elastically deformable
material increases at the first location while a second inner
diameter decreases at the second location.
49. The method of claim 48 wherein the decreased second inner
diameter impedes at least a portion of the blood in the blood
vessel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/341,575, filed. May 25, 2016, and
Australian Provisional Application No. 2015903253, filed Aug. 13,
2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present technology relates to implantable damping
devices for treating dementia and associated systems and methods of
use. In particular, the present technology is directed to damping
devices for treating an artery.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The heart supplies oxygenated blood to the body through a
network of interconnected, branching arteries starting with the
largest artery in the body--the aorta. As shown in the schematic
view of the heart and selected arteries in FIG. 1A, the portion of
the aorta closest to the heart is divided into three regions: the
ascending aorta (where the aorta initially leaves the heart and
extends in a superior direction), the aortic arch, and the
descending aorta (where the aorta extends in an inferior
direction). Three major arteries branch from the aorta along the
aortic arch: the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid
artery, and the left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic artery
extends away from the aortic arch and subsequently divides into the
right common carotid artery, which supplies oxygenated blood to the
head and neck, and the right subclavian artery, which predominantly
supplies blood to the right arm. The left common carotid artery
extends away from the aortic arch and supplies the head and neck.
The left subclavian artery extends away from the aortic arch and
predominantly supplies blood to the left arm. Each of the right
common carotid artery and the left common carotid artery
subsequently branches into separate internal and external carotid
arteries.
[0004] During the systole stage of a heartbeat, contraction of the
left ventricle forces blood into the ascending aorta that increases
the pressure within the arteries (known as systolic blood
pressure). The volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle
creates a pressure wave known as a pulse wave--that propagates
through the arteries propelling the blood, The pulse wave causes
the arteries to dilate, as shown schematically in FIG. 1B. When the
left ventricle relaxes (the diastole stage of a heartbeat), the
pressure within the arterial system decreases (known as diastolic
blood pressure), which allows the arteries to contract.
[0005] The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the
diastolic blood pressure is the "pulse pressure," which generally
is determined by the magnitude of the contraction force generated
by the heart, the heart rate, the peripheral vascular resistance,
and diastolic "run-off" (e.g., the blood flowing down the pressure
gradient from the arteries to the veins), amongst other factors.
High flow organs, such as the brain, are particularly sensitive to
excessive pressure and flow pulsatility. To ensure a relatively
consistent flow rate to such sensitive organs, the wails of the
arterial vessels expand and contract in response to the pressure
wave to absorb some of the pulse wave energy. As the vasculature
ages, however, the arterial walls lose elasticity, which causes an
increase in pulse wave speed and wave reflection through the
arterial vasculature. Arterial stiffening impairs the ability of
the carotid arteries and other large arteries to expand and dampen
flow pulsatility, which results in an increase in systolic pressure
and pulse pressure. Accordingly, as the arterial walls stiffen over
time, the arteries transmit excessive force into the distal
branches of the arterial vasculature.
[0006] Research suggests that consistently high systolic pressure,
pulse pressure, and/or change in pressure over time (dP/dt)
increases the risk of dementia, such as vascular dementia (e.g., an
impaired supply of blood to the brain or bleeding within the
brain). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that high
pulse pressure can be the root cause or an exacerbating factor of
vascular dementia and age-related dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's
disease). As such, the progression of vascular dementia and
age-related dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) may also be
affected by the loss of elasticity in the arterial walls and the
resulting stress on the cerebral vessels. Alzheimer's Disease, for
example, is generally associated with the presence of neuritic
plaques and tangles in the brain. Recent studies suggest that
increased pulse pressure, increased systolic pressure, and/or an
increase in the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) may, over time,
cause microbleeds within the brain that may contribute to the
neuritic plaques and tangles. Accordingly, there is a need for
improved devices, systems, and methods for treating vascular and/or
age-related dementia.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better
understood with reference to the following drawings. The components
in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is
placed on illustrating clearly the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a human heart and a
portion of the arterial system near the heart.
[0009] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a pulse wave
propagating along a blood vessel.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a front view of a damping device in accordance
with the present technology, shown in a deployed, relaxed
state.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a front cross-sectional view of the damping
device shown in FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 2C is a front cross-sectional view of the damping
device shown in FIG. 2A, shown in a deployed state positioned
within a blood vessel.
[0013] FIG. 2D is a front cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a damping device in accordance with the present
technology, shown in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0014] FIGS. 2E-2G are front cross-sectional views of several
embodiments of damping members in accordance with the present
technology, all shown in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a front cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a damping device in accordance with the present
technology shown in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0016] FIGS. 3B-3D are front cross-sectional views of several
embodiments of damping members in accordance with the present
technology, all shown in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a front view of a damping device in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology, shown in a
deployed, relaxed state/
[0018] FIG. 4B is a front cross-sectional view of the damping
device shown in FIG. 4A.
[0019] FIG. 4C is a front cross-sectional view of the damping
device shown in FIG. 4A, shown in a deployed state positioned
within a blood vessel.
[0020] FIG. 4D is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of a
damping member in accordance with the present technology showing
deformation of the damping member (in dashed lines) in response to
a pulse wave.
[0021] FIG. 4E is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of
another damping member in accordance with the present technology
showing deformation of the damping member (in dashed lines) in
response to a puke wave.
[0022] FIGS. 5-7 are front cross-sectional views of several
embodiments of damping devices in accordance with the present
technology.
[0023] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a method of delivering a damping
device to an artery in accordance with the present technology.
[0024] FIGS. 9A-9F are schematic cross-sectional views of several
embodiments of damping members in accordance with the present
technology.
[0025] FIGS. 10 and 11 are front cross-sectional views of
embodiments of damping devices shown positioned at or near a
resected blood vessel in accordance with the present
technology.
[0026] FIG. 12A is a front view of a helical damping device in
accordance with the present technology, shown positioned around a
blood vessel in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0027] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the damping device of
FIG. 12A (taken along line 12B-12B in FIG. 12A), shown positioned
around the blood vessel as a pulse pressure wave travels through
the vessel.
[0028] FIGS. 13 and 14 show different embodiments of a wrapped
damping device, each shown positioned around a blood vessel in
accordance with the present technology.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
damping device in accordance with the present technology.
[0030] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
damping device in accordance with the present technology.
[0031] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the damping device
shown in FIG. 16A, taken along line 16B-16B.
[0032] FIG. 17A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
damping device in accordance with the present technology.
[0033] FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the damping device
shown in FIG. 17A.
[0034] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
damping device in accordance with the present technology.
[0035] FIG. 18B is a front view of the damping device shown in FIG.
18A, shown in a deployed state positioned around a blood
vessel.
[0036] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a damping device in
accordance with another embodiment of the present technology, shown
in an unwrapped state.
[0037] FIG. 19B is a top view of the damping device shown in FIG.
19A, shown in an unwrapped state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] The present technology is directed to implantable damping
devices for treating or slowing the progression of dementia, which
includes both vascular dementia and age-related dementia, and
associated systems and methods of use. Some embodiments of the
present technology, for example, are directed to damping devices
including an anchoring member and a flexible, compliant damping
member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a
lumen configured to direct blood flow. The inner surface is
configured such that a cross-sectional dimension of the lumen
varies. For example, the outer surface and the inner surface can be
separated from each other by a distance that varies along the
length of the damping member. The damping member can further
include a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the
first end portion, and a damping region between the first and
second end portions. The distance between the outer surface and the
inner surface of the damping member can be greater at the damping
region than at either of the first or second end portions. When
blood flows through the damping member during systole, the damping
member absorbs a portion of the pulsatile energy of the blood to
reduce the magnitude of the pulse pressure transmitted to a portion
of the blood vessel distal to the damping device. Specific details
of several embodiments of the technology are described below with
reference to FIGS. 2A-19B.
[0039] With regard to the terms "distal" and "proximal" within this
description, unless otherwise specified, the terms can reference a
relative position of the portions of a damping device and/or an
associated delivery device with reference to an operator, direction
of blood flow through a vessel, and/or a location in the
vasculature. For example, in referring to a delivery catheter
suitable to deliver and position various damping devices described
herein, "proximal" refers to a position closer to the operator of
the device or an incision into the vasculature, and "distal" refers
to a position that is more distant from the operator of the device
or further from the incision along the vasculature (e.g., the end
of the catheter).
[0040] As used herein, "artery" and "arteries that supply blood to
the brain," include any arterial blood vessel (or portion thereof)
that provides oxygenated blood to the brain. For example,
"arteries" or "arteries that supply blood to the brain" can include
the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the brachiocephalic trunk,
the right common carotid artery, the left common carotid artery,
the left and right internal carotid arteries, the left and right
external carotid arteries, and/or any branch and/or extension of
any of the arterial vessels described above.
1. Selected Intravascular Embodiments of Damping Devices
[0041] FIGS. 2A and 2B are a front view and a front cross-sectional
view, respectively, of a damping device 100 configured in
accordance with the present technology shown in an expanded or
deployed state. FIG. 2C is a front view of the damping device 100
in a deployed state positioned in a carotid artery CA (e.g., the
left or right carotid artery). Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C together,
the damping device 100 includes a flexible, viscoelastic damping
member 102 (e.g., a cushioning member) and anchoring members 104
(identified individually as first and second anchoring members 104a
and 104b, respectively). The damping member 102 includes an
undulating or hourglass-shaped sidewall having an outer surface 115
and an inner surface 113 (FIGS. 2B and 2C) that defines a lumen 114
configured to receive blood flow therethrough. The outer surface
115 is separated from the inner surface 113 by a distance t (FIG.
2B). The damping member 102 has a length L, a first end portion
106, and a second end portion 108 opposite the first end portion
106 along its length L, and a damping region 120 between the first
end portion 106 and the second end portion 108. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the distance t between the outer and inner
surfaces 115 and 113 varies along the length L of the damping
member 102 when it is in a deployed, relaxed state. In some
embodiments, the distance t between the outer and inner surfaces
115 and 113, on average, can be greater at the damping region 120
than at either of the first or second end portions 106, 108. In
other embodiments, the damping member 102 can have other suitable
shapes (for example, FIGS. 2E-2G), sizes, and/or configurations.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2D, the distance t between the outer
and inner surfaces 115 and 113 may be generally constant along the
length of the damping member 102 and/or the damping region 120 when
the damping member 102 is in a deployed, relaxed state.
[0042] The damping member 102 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C is a solid piece
of material that is molded, extruded, or otherwise formed into the
desired shape. The damping member 102 can be made of a
biocompatible, compliant, viscoelastic material that is configured
to deform in response to local fluid pressure in the artery. As the
damping member 102 deforms, the damping member 102 absorbs a
portion of the pulse pressure. The damping member 102, for example,
can be made of a biocompatible synthetic elastomer, such as
silicone rubber (VMQ), Tufel I and Tufel III elastomers (GE
Advanced Materials, Pittsfield, Mass.), Sorbothane.RTM.
(Sorbothane, incorporated, Kent, Ohio), and others. The damping
member 102 can be flexible and elastic such that the inner diameter
ID of the damping member 102 at the damping region 120 increases as
a systolic pressure wave propagates through the damping region 120.
For example, a systolic pressure wave may push the inner surface
113 radially outwardly, thus forcing a portion of the outer surface
115 to also deform radially outwardly. Additionally, the damping
member 102 can also optionally be compressible such that the
distance t between the inner and outer surfaces 115 and 113
decreases to further open the inner diameter ID of the damping
region 120 as the systolic pressure wave engages the damping region
120. For example, a systolic pressure wave may push the inner
surface 113 radially outwardly while the contour of the outer
surface 115 remains generally unaffected.
[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the anchoring
members 104a-104b individually comprise a generally cylindrical
structure configured to expand from a low-profile state to a
deployed state in apposition with the blood vessel wall. Each of
the anchoring members 104a-b can be a stent formed from a laser cut
metal, such as a superelastic material (e.g., Nitinol) or stainless
steel. All or a portion of each of the anchoring members can
include a radiopaque coating to improve visualization of the device
during delivery, and/or the anchoring members may include one or
more radiopaque markers. In other embodiments, the individual
anchoring members 104a-104b can comprise a mesh or woven (e.g., a
braid) construction in addition to or in place of a laser cut
stent. For example, the individual anchoring members 104a-104b can
include a tube or braided mesh formed from a plurality of flexible
wires or filaments arranged in a diamond pattern or other
configuration. In some embodiments, all or a portion of one or both
of the anchoring members 104a-104b can be covered by a graft
material (such as Dacron) to promote sealing with the vessel wall.
Additionally, all or a portion of one or both anchoring members can
include one or more biomaterials.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the anchoring
members 104a-104b are positioned around the damping member 102 at
the first and second end portions 106, 108, respectively. As such,
in this embodiment, the outer diameter OD of the damping member 102
is less than the inner diameter of the anchoring members 104a104b.
Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the anchoring members
104a-104b are positioned around the damping member 102 only at the
first and second end portions 106, 108, respectively. As such, in
several embodiments of the present technology, the damping region
120 of the damping member 120 is not surrounded by a stent-like
structure or braided material. In other embodiments, the anchoring
members 104 and damping member 102 may have other suitable
configurations. For example, the anchoring members 104a-104b may be
positioned at other locations along the length L of the damping
member 102, though not along the full length of the damping member
102. Also, in some embodiments, all or a portion of one or both
anchoring members 104a-104b may be positioned radially outwardly of
all or a portion of the damping member 102. Although the damping
device 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-2B includes two anchoring members
104a-104b, in other embodiments the damping device 100 can have
more or fewer anchoring members (e.g., one anchoring member, three
anchoring members, four anchoring members, etc.).
[0045] In some embodiments, a biocompatible gel or liquid may be
located between the wall of the artery A and the outer surface 115
of the damping member 102 to prevent the ingression of blood into
the void defined between the first anchoring member 104a, the
second anchoring member 104b, the damping member 102, and the inner
wall of the artery CA. Alternatively, air or another gas may be
located between the internal wall of the carotid artery CA and the
damping member 102 to prevent the ingression of blood into the
void.
[0046] FIG. 3A is a front cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a damping device 100' in accordance with the present
technology. The embodiment of the damping device 100' shown in FIG.
3A is similar to the embodiment of the damping device 100 shown in
FIGS. 2A-2C, and like reference numbers refer to like components in
FIGS. 2A-2C and FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3A, the damping device
100' includes an inner damping member 102 and an outer layer 130
surrounding the damping member 102. The outer layer 130 has an
outer surface 131 and, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the
first and second anchoring members 104a-b are attached to the outer
surface 131. At least along the damping region 120, the outer layer
130 is spaced apart from the outer surface 115 of the damping
member 102 to form chamber 132. The chamber 132 can be at least
partially filled with a fluid, such as a gas, liquid, or gel. The
device 100' has a length L and a distance d between the outer
surface 131 of the outer layer 130 and the inner surface 113 of the
damping member 102. Along the damping region 120, the distance d
between the outer and inner surfaces 131 and 113 increases then
decreases in a radial direction when the damping member 102 is in a
deployed, relaxed state. On average, the distance d between the
outer surface 131 and the inner surface 113 of the damping member
102 is greater at the damping region 120 than at either of the
first or second end portions 106, 108. As a result, the diameter ID
of the lumen 114 varies along the length L. For example, the outer
surface 131 and/or the outer layer 130 can be generally cylindrical
in an unbiased state, and the inner surface 113 and/or the damping
member 102 can have an undulating or hourglass shape. In other
embodiments, the outer surface 131 and/or the outer layer 130 can
be other suitable shapes, and the inner surface 113 and/or the
damping member 102 can be other suitable shapes (FIGS. 3B-3D).
[0047] In some embodiments, instead of the damping device 100'
having a separate outer layer 130, the damping member 102 can be
molded, formed, or otherwise extruded to enclose a cavity. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, the damping member 102' can
include an inner layer 116, an outer layer 118, and a cavity 119
therebetween. The cavity 119 can be at least partially filled with
a fluid, such as a gas, liquid, or gel.
[0048] FIGS. 4A and 4B are a front view and a front cross-sectional
view, respectively, of another embodiment of a damping device 200
configured in accordance with the present technology shown in an
expanded or deployed state. FIG. 4C is a front cross-sectional view
of the damping device 200 in a deployed state positioned in a
carotid artery (e.g., the left or right carotid artery). Referring
to FIGS. 4A-4C together, the damping device 200 includes a
flexible, viscoelastic damping member 202 (e.g., a cushioning
member) and anchoring members 204 (identified individually as first
and second anchoring members 204a-204b, respectively). As shown in
FIGS. 4B and 4C, the damping member 202 includes a generally
tubular sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface 210 and an
inner surface 212 that defines a lumen 214 configured to receive
blood flow therethrough. The outer surface 210 is separated from
the inner surface 212 by a distance t (FIG. 4B). The damping member
202 has a length L, a first end portion 206, and a second end
portion 208 opposite the first end portion 206 along its length L,
and a damping region 220 between the first end portion 206 and the
second end portion 208. Along the damping region 220, the distance
t between the outer and inner surfaces 210 and 212 increases then
decreases in a radial direction when the damping member 202 is in a
deployed, relaxed state. On average, the distance t between the
outer and inner surfaces 210 and 212 of the damping member 202 is
greater at the damping region 220 than at either of the first or
second end portions 206, 208. As a result, the inner diameter ID of
the damping member 202 varies along its length L relative to the
outer diameter OD of the damping member 202. For example, the outer
surface 210 can be generally cylindrical in an unbiased state, and
the inner surface 212 can have an undulating or hourglass shape. As
described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 9A-9F, the
damping member 202 can have other suitable shapes, sizes, and/or
configurations.
[0049] The damping member 202 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C is a solid piece
of material that is molded, extruded, or otherwise formed into the
desired shape. The damping member 202 can be made of a
biocompatible, compliant, viscoelastic material that is configured
to deform in response to local fluid pressure in the artery. As the
damping member 202 deforms, the damping member 202 absorbs a
portion of the pulse pressure. The damping member 202, for example,
can be made of a biocompatible synthetic elastomer, such as
silicone rubber (VMQ), Tufel I and Tufel III elastomers (GE
Advanced Materials, Pittsfield, Mass.), Sorbothane.RTM.
(Sorbothane, Incorporated, Kent, Ohio), and others. The damping
member 202 can be flexible and elastic such that the inner diameter
ID of the damping member 202 at the damping region 220 increases as
a systolic pressure wave P (FIG. 4D) propagates through the damping
region 220. For example, as shown schematically in the isolated,
cross-sectional view of a portion of a damping member 202 before
and during deformation (damping member 202', shown in dashed lines)
in FIG. 4D, the systolic pressure wave P may push the inner surface
212' radially outwardly, thus forcing a portion of the outer
surface 210' to also deform radially outwardly. Additionally, the
damping member 202 can also optionally be compressible such that
the distance t between the inner and outer surfaces 210 and 212
decreases to further open the inner diameter ID of the damping
region 220 as the systolic pressure wave P engages the damping
region 220. For example, as shown schematically in the isolated,
cross-sectional view of a portion of a damping member 202 before
and during deformation (damping member 202', shown in dashed lines)
in FIG. 4E, the systolic pressure wave P may push the inner surface
212' radially outwardly while the contour of the outer surface 210'
remains generally unaffected.
[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the anchoring
members 204a-204b individually comprise a generally cylindrical
structure configured to expand from a low-profile state to a
deployed state in apposition with the blood vessel wall. Each of
the anchoring members 204a-b can be a stent formed from a laser cut
metal, such as a superelastic material (e.g., Nitinol) stainless
steel. All or a portion of each of the anchoring members can
include a radiopaque coating to improve visualization of the device
during delivery, and/or the anchoring members may include one or
more radiopaque markers. In other embodiments, the individual
anchoring members 204a-204b can comprise a mesh or woven (e.g., a
braid) construction in addition to or in place of a laser cut
stent. For example, the individual anchoring members 204a-204b can
include a tube or braided mesh formed from a plurality of flexible
wires or filaments arranged in a diamond pattern or other
configuration. In some embodiments, all or a portion of one or both
of the anchoring members 204a-204b can be covered by a graft
material (such as Dacron) to promote sealing with the vessel
wall.
[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the anchoring
members 204a-204b are positioned around the damping member 202 at
the first and second end portions 206, 208, respectively. As such,
in this embodiment, the outer diameter OD (FIG. 4A) of the damping
member 202 is less than the inner diameter of the anchoring members
204a-204b. Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the
anchoring members 204a-204b are positioned around the damping
member 202 only at the first and second end portions 206, 208,
respectively. As such, in several embodiments of the present
technology, the damping region 220 of the damping member 220 is not
surrounded by a stent-like structure or braided material. In other
embodiments, the anchoring members 204a-204b and damping member 202
may have other suitable configurations. For example, the anchoring
members 204a-204b may be positioned at other locations along the
length L of the damping member 202, though not along the full
length of the damping member 202. Also, in some embodiments, all or
a portion of one or both anchoring members 204a-204b may be
positioned radially outwardly of all or a portion of the damping
member 202. Although the damping device 200 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B
includes two anchoring members 204a-204b, in other embodiments the
damping device 200 can have more or fewer anchoring members (e.g.,
one anchoring member, three anchoring members, four anchoring
members, etc.).
[0052] In some embodiments, one or both of the anchoring members
204a-204b can optionally include one or more fixation elements 205
(FIG. 4B) configured to engage the blood vessel wall. The fixation
elements 205 can include, for example, one or more hooks or barbs
that, in the deployed state, extend outwardly away from the
corresponding frames of the anchoring member 204a-204b to penetrate
the vessel wall at the treatment site. In these and other
embodiments, one or more of the fixation elements can be
atraumatic. Additionally, referring to the damping device 200A
shown in FIG. 5, in certain embodiments the damping device 200 may
not include a stent-type or braid-type anchoring member, but rather
the frame of the anchoring members 204 can be one or more
expandable rings 230. For example, in some embodiments the damping
device 200 can include two rings 230, each attached to a respective
end portion 206 and 208, and the plurality of fixation elements 205
can extend outwardly from the rings 230. In still other
embodiments, such as the damping device 200B shown in FIG. 6, the
anchoring members 204 can be integral portions of the end portions
206, 208, such as thick wall portions 240a-b of the damping member
202 that extend radially outward from the outer wall of the damping
region 220, instead of separate metal or polymeric components. In
this embodiment, the fixation elements 205 can extend outwardly
from integral anchoring members 240a-b at the first and second end
portions 206, 208 of the damping member 202. When the damping
device 200 is in a deployed state, the fixation elements 205 extend
outwardly away from the outer surface of the damping member 202 to
engage vessel wall tissue. In yet other embodiments, the fixation
elements 205 can extend outwardly from the outer surface 210 of the
damping member 202, as shown in the damping device 200C of FIG.
7.
[0053] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a method for positioning a damping
device of the present disclosure at a treatment location within an
artery A (such as the left and/or right common carotid artery CA).
Although FIGS. 8B-8E depict the damping device 200 shown in FIGS.
4A and 4B, the methods and systems described with respect to FIGS.
8A-8E can be utilized for any of the damping devices 100, 100',
200, 200A, 200B, and 200C described with respect to FIGS. 2A-7 and
FIGS. 9A-9F.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 8A, a guidewire 602 may first be advanced
intravascularly to the treatment site from an access site, such as
a femoral or a radial artery. A guide catheter 604 may then be
advanced along the guidewire 602 until at least a distal portion of
the guide catheter 604 is positioned at the treatment site. In
these and other embodiments, a rapid-exchange technique may be
utilized. In some embodiments, the guide catheter 604 may have a
pre-shaped or steerable distal end portion to direct the guide
catheter 604 through one or more bends in the vasculature. For
example, the guide catheter 604 shown in FIGS. 8A-8E has a curved
distal end portion configured to navigate through the ascending
aorta AA and preferentially bend or flex at the left and/or right
common carotid artery A to direct the guide catheter 604 into the
artery A.
[0055] Image guidance, e.g., computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy,
angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence
tomography (OCT), or another suitable guidance modality, or
combinations thereof, may be used to aid the clinician's
positioning and manipulation of the damping device 200. For
example, a fluoroscopy system (e.g., including a flat-panel
detector, x-ray, or c-arm) can be rotated to accurately visualize
and identify the target treatment site. In other embodiments, the
treatment site can be determined using IVIS, OCT, and/or other
suitable image mapping modalities that can correlate the target
treatment site with an identifiable anatomical structure (e.g., a
spinal feature) and/or a radiopaque ruler (e.g., positioned under
or on the patient) before delivering the damping device 200.
Further, in some embodiments, image guidance components (e.g.,
IVIS, OCT) may be integrated with the delivery catheter and/or run
in parallel with the delivery catheter to provide image guidance
during positioning of the damping device 200.
[0056] Once the guide catheter 604 is positioned at the treatment
site, the guidewire 602 may be withdrawn. As shown in FIGS. 8B and
8C, a delivery assembly 610 carrying the damping device 200 may
then be advanced distally through the guide catheter 604 to the
treatment site. In some embodiments, the delivery assembly 610
includes an elongated shaft 612 having an atraumatic distal tip 614
(FIG. 8B) and an expandable member 616 (e.g., an inflatable
balloon, an expandable cage, etc.) positioned around a distal
portion of the elongated shaft 612. The damping device 200 can be
positioned around the expandable member 616. As shown in FIG. 8D,
expansion or inflation of the expandable member 616 forces at least
a portion of the damping device 200 radially outwardly into contact
with the arterial wall. In some embodiments, the delivery assembly
610 can include a distal expandable member for deploying a distal
portion of the damping device 200, and a proximal expandable member
for deploying a proximal portion of the damping device 200. In
other embodiments, the entire length of the damping device 200 may
be expanded at the same time by deploying one or more expandable
members.
[0057] In some procedures the clinician may want to stretch or
elongate the damping device 200 before deploying the proximal
second anchoring member 204b against the arterial wall. To address
this need, the delivery assembly 610 and/or damping device 200 can
optionally include a tensioning mechanism for pulling or providing
a tensile stress on the second anchoring member 204b, thereby
increasing the length of the damping member 202 and/or a distance
between the first and second and anchoring members 204a, 204b. For
example, as shown in FIG. 8C, the second anchoring member 204b can
include one or more coupling portions 205 (e.g., one or more
eyelets extending proximally from the anchoring frame) and one or
more coupling members 618 (e.g., a suture, a thread, a filament, a
tether, etc.) extending between the second anchoring member 204b
and a proximal portion (not shown) of the delivery assembly 610
(e.g., a handle). The coupling members 618 are configured to
releasably engage the coupling portions 205 to mechanically couple
the second anchoring member 204b to a proximal portion of the
delivery assembly 610. A clinician can apply a tensile force to the
coupling member 618 to elongate the damping device 200 and/or
damping member 202 and adjust the longitudinal position of the
second anchoring member 204b. Once the second anchoring member 204b
is positioned at a desired longitudinal position relative to the
first anchoring member 204a and/or the local anatomy, the second
anchoring member 204b can be expanded into contact with the
arterial wall (e.g., via deployment of one or more expandable
members). Before, during, and/or after expansion of the second
anchoring member 204b, the coupling member(s) 618 may be disengaged
from the second anchoring member 204b. For example, in some
embodiments, the operator can force the coupling members 618 to
break along their lengths by applying a tensile force that is less
than a force that would be required to dislodge one or both of the
first and second anchoring members 204a, 204b. Once disengaged from
the second anchoring member 204b and/or the damping device 200, the
coupling member(s) 618 can then be withdrawn from the treatment
site through the guide catheter 604.
[0058] In other embodiments, other tensioning mechanisms may be
utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the damping device 200
includes a releasable clasp, ring, or hook which is selectively
releasable by the operator. The clasp, ring or hook may be any type
that permits securement of the thread to the second anchoring
member 204b, and which can be selectively opened or released to
disengage the thread from the second anchoring member 204b. The
releasing can be controlled by the clinician from an extracorporeal
location. Although the tensioning mechanism is described herein
with respect to the second anchoring member 204b, it will be
appreciated that other portions of the damping device 200 and/or
the delivery assembly 610 (such as the first anchoring member 204a)
can be coupled to a tensioning mechanism.
[0059] In certain embodiments, the damping member 202 and/or
individual anchoring members 204a, 204b may be self-expanding. For
example, the delivery assembly 610 can include a delivery sheath
(not shown) that surrounds and radially constrains the damping
device 200 during delivery to the treatment site. Upon reaching the
treatment site, the delivery sheath may be at least partially
withdrawn or retracted to allow the damping member 202 and/or the
individual anchoring members 204a, 204b to expand. In some
embodiments, expansion of the anchoring members 204 may drive
expansion of the damping member 202. For example, the anchoring
members 204 may be fixedly attached to the damping member 202, and
expansion of one or both anchoring 204 pulls or pushes (depending
on the relative positioning of the damping member 202 and anchoring
members 204) the damping member 202 radially outwardly.
[0060] As best shown in FIG. 8C, once the damping device 200 is
positioned at the treatment site (e.g., in a left or right common
carotid artery), oxygenated blood ejected from the left ventricle
flows through the lumen 214 of the damping member 202. As the blood
contacts the damping region 220 of the damping member 202, the
damping region 220 deforms to absorb a portion of the pulsatile
energy of the blood, which reduces a magnitude of a pulse pressure
transmitted to the portions of the artery distal to the damping
device 200 (such as the more-sensitive cerebral arteries). The
damping region 202 acts a pressure limiter that distributes the
pressure of the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle more evenly
downstream from the damping device 200 without unduly compromising
the volume of blood flow through the damping device 200.
Accordingly, the damping device 200 reduces the pulsatile stress on
downstream portions of the arterial network to prevent or at least
partially reduce the manifestations of vascular dementia and/or
age-related dementia.
[0061] In some procedures, it may be beneficial to deliver multiple
damping devices 200 to multiple arterial locations. For example,
after deploying a first damping device 200 at a first arterial
location (e.g., the left or right common carotid artery, an
internal or external carotid artery, the ascending aorta, etc.),
the clinician may then position and deploy a second damping device
200 at a second arterial location different than the first arterial
location (e.g., the left or right common carotid artery, an
internal or external carotid artery, the ascending aorta etc.). In
a particular application, a first damping device is deployed in the
left common carotid artery and the second damping device is
deployed in the right common carotid artery. In other embodiments,
two or more damping devices 200 may be delivered
simultaneously.
[0062] In some embodiments, an additional stent of larger diameter
may be placed within the vessel prior to deployment of the damping
device 200 to expand the diameter of the vessel in preparation for
the device. Subsequently, the damping device 200 can be deployed
within the larger stent. This may assist to reduce impact on the
residual diameter of the vessel, and thereby reduce impact on blood
flow rate.
[0063] FIGS. 9A-9F are schematic cross-sectional views of several
embodiments of damping members in accordance with the present
technology. Like reference numbers refer to similar or identical
components in FIGS. 2A-9F. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the
inner surface 212 of the damping member 202 is curved along its
entire length. The distance between the outer surface 210 and the
inner surface 212 gradually increases then decreases in a distal
direction. As such, the damping region 220 extends the entire
length of the damping member 202. FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate
embodiments of the damping member 202 in which the inner surface
212 has a series of damping regions 220 defined by undulations in
the inner surface 212. In these embodiments, the distance t
increases, then decreases, then increases, then decreases, etc. in
a distal direction. In FIG. 9B, the damping regions 220 are
generally linear, while in FIG. 9C, the damping regions 220 are
generally curved. FIGS. 9D-9E illustrate embodiments of damping
members 202 having damping regions 220 comprising an annular ring
projecting radially inwardly into the lumen 214. One or more
portions of the annular ring may flex in a longitudinal direction
in response to blood flow. As shown in FIG. 9F, in some embodiments
the damping member 220 can comprise two or more opposing leaflets
221.
II. Selected Resection Embodiments of Damping Devices
[0064] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic cross-sectional views of
several embodiments of damping devices in accordance with the
present technology. Like reference numbers refer to similar or
identical components in FIGS. 2A-15. FIG. 10, for example, shows a
damping device 1000 comprising only the damping member 202. A
portion of the arterial wall A may be resected, and the damping
member 202 may be coupled to the open ends of the resected artery
(e.g., via sutures 1002) such that the damping member 202 spans the
resected portion of the artery A. In some embodiments, the damping
member 202 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a constant
wall thickness, as shown in FIG. 11. In such embodiments, an inner
diameter ID of the damping member 202 may be generally constant
along the length of the damping member 202. In operation, the
damping devices 1000 and 1100 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are highly
flexible, elastic members that expand radially outward as the
systolic pressure wave passes through the damping devices 1000 and
1100. Since the resected portions of the arterial wall A cannot
limit the expansion of the damping devices 1000 and 1100, these
devices can expand more than the native arterial wall A to absorb
more energy from the blood flow.
III. Selected Additional Embodiments of Damping Devices
[0065] FIGS. 12A-19B illustrate additional embodiments of damping
devices configured in accordance with the present technology. For
example, FIG. 12A shows a damping device 1200 comprising a damping
member 1202 coupled to anchoring members 1204a and 1204b at its
proximal and distal end portions. The damping member 1202 comprises
a strand 1203 having a pre-set helical configuration such that, in
a deployed state, the strand 1203 forms a generally tubular
structure defining a lumen extending therethrough. The tubular
structure has an inner surface 1209 (FIG. 12B) and an outer surface
1211. The strand 1203 may be formed of any suitable biocompatible
material such as one or more elastic polymers that are configured
to stretch in response to the radially outward forces exerted by
the pulse wave on the helical strand. In some embodiments, the
strand 1203 may additionally or alternatively include one or more
metals such as stainless steel and/or a superelastic and/or shape
memory alloy, such as Nitinol. In a particular embodiment, the
damping member 1202 may be fabricated from a recombinant human
protein such as tropo-elastin or elastin.
[0066] The anchoring members 1204a and 1204b can be generally
similar to the anchoring members 104a and 104b described with
respect to FIGS. 2A-2C. In some embodiments, the damping device
1200 includes more or fewer than two anchoring members 1204 (one
anchoring member, three anchoring members, etc.). In a particular
embodiment, the damping device 1200 does not include anchoring
members 1204.
[0067] In the deployed state, the damping member 1202 is configured
to be wrapped along the circumference of an artery that supplies
blood to the brain. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
12A, the damping member 1202 is configured to be positioned around
the exterior of the artery A such that the inner surface 1209 of
the damping member 1202 contacts an outer surface of the artery A
(see FIG. 12B). In other embodiments (not shown), the damping
member 1202 is configured to be positioned around the lumen of the
artery such that the outer surface 1211 of the damping member 1202
contacts an inner surface of the arterial wall.
[0068] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional side view of the damping
device 1200 during transmission of a pulse wave PW through the
portion of the artery A surrounded by the damping device 1200. In
FIG. 12B, the dashed lines A represent the artery during diastole,
or when the artery is relaxed. The solid line A' represents the
artery in response to a pulse wave PW traveling through the artery
during systole. As shown in FIG. 12B, as the wave front WF (or
leading edge of the pulse wave PW) travels through the artery, the
wavefront dilates the artery A at an axial location L.sub.1
corresponding to the wavefront WFb The wavefront WF pushes the
arterial wall radially outwardly against the coil, thereby radially
expanding the portion R.sub.1 of the coil axially aligned with the
wave front WF. For example, in those embodiments where the strand
1203 is made of a stretchable material, such as an elastic polymer,
the coil stretches along the portion R.sub.1 to expand and
accommodate the pulse wave, thereby absorbing some of the energy
transmitted with the pulse wave and reducing the stress on the
arterial wall. In any of the above embodiments, the portions of the
coil distal or proximal the wave-affected region are forced to
contract (R.sub.2), thereby causing the artery to narrow relative
to its relaxed diameter. This narrowing of the artery creates a
temporary impedance to the pulse wave which absorbs some of the
energy. Once the pulse wave has passed, the arterial wall returns
to its relaxed state.
[0069] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a damping device
1300 in accordance with the present technology. As shown in FIG.
13, the damping device 1300 can include a damping member 1302
defined by an extravascular wrap. The damping member 1302 may be
fabricated from a generally rectangular portion of a suitable
bio-compatible and elastically deformable material which is
configured to be wrapped around the blood vessel. Alternatively,
the damping member 1302 may be initially provided having a
cylindrical configuration including a longitudinal slit 1304 for
receiving the vessel. The damping member 1302 may be fabricated
from a synthetic such as an elastic polymer, a shape memory and/or
superelastic material such as Nitinol (nickel titanium), a
recombinant human protein such as tropo-elastin or elastin, and
other suitable materials. As shown in FIG. 13, the damping member
1302 is configured to be secured around an artery (e.g., a carotid
artery) between the aortic arch and the junction where the left
common carotid artery divides into the internal (IC) and external
(EC) carotid arteries. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the damping member 1302 may alternatively or
additionally be deployed around the brachiocephalic trunk (not
shown) or the right common carotid artery (not shown), or any
distal branch of the aforementioned arteries, or any proximal
branch of the aforementioned arteries, such as the ascending aorta.
Opposing edges of the damping member 1302 can be secured to each
other with a coupling device such as stitching/sutures 1310,
stapling, or another coupling device such that the external
diameter of the artery is reduced. In some embodiments, the
coupling device can be made from an elastic material so that it can
stretch to accommodate the pulse wave and absorb its energy. The
elastically deformable damping member 1302 is adapted to radially
expand during the systole stage and radially contract during the
diastole stage. The damping member 1302 is secured such that an
internal diameter of the elastically deformable material is smaller
than an initial, outer diameter of the artery during a systole
stage, but not smaller than an outer diameter of the artery during
a diastole stage.
[0070] FIG. 14 depicts another embodiment of a damping device 1400
for treating an arterial blood vessel. The device 1400 can be
structurally similar to the damping device 1300 shown in FIG. 13,
with the exception that the two opposing edges of the elastically
deformable damping member 1402 of FIG. 14 are secured to each other
using a zip-lock type coupling mechanism 1410.
[0071] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a damping device 1500
configured in accordance with the present technology. The damping
device 1500, includes a generally tubular anchoring member 1504
(e.g., a stent, a mesh, a braid, etc.) defining a lumen 1514
therethrough. The anchoring member may be made of a resilient,
biocompatible material such as stainless steel, titanium, nitinol,
etc. In some embodiments, the anchoring member 1501 is made of a
shape memory and/or superelastic material. A radially outer surface
of the anchoring member 1504 is configured to be positioned in
apposition with an inner surface of an arterial wall. A radially
inner surface of the anchoring member 1504 is lined or otherwise
coated with an absorptive material 1503 (e.g., a cushioning
material), such as an elastically deformable material, which is
adapted to absorb shock. The lumen 1514 is configured to receive
blood flow therethrough. The lumen 1514 is present when the
anchoring member 1504 is radially expanded, but it may not be
present in the initial, contracted configuration prior to
deployment.
[0072] In some embodiments (not shown), the damping device can be a
biocompatible gel which is injected around a portion of the left or
right carotid artery or the brachiocephalic trunk. The gel
increases the external pressure acting on the artery and thus
reduces the external diameter of the artery. As blood pressure
increases within the artery, the gel elastically deforms, such that
the artery radially expands during the systole stage and radially
contracts during the diastole stage.
[0073] FIG. 16A is a perspective, cut-away view of a damping device
1600 in accordance with the present technology in a deployed,
relaxed state. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the damping
device 1600 positioned in an artery A during transmission of a
pulse wave PW through the portion of the artery A surrounded by the
damping device 1600. Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B together, the
damping device 1600 includes a damping member 1602 and a structural
member 1604 coupled to the damping member 1602. In FIG. 16A, a
middle portion of the structural member 1604 has been removed to
show features of the structure of the damping member 1602. As shown
in FIG. 16A, the damping device 1600 can have a generally
cylindrical shape in the deployed, relaxed state. The damping
device 1600 may be configured to wrap around the circumference of
the artery with opposing longitudinal edges (not shown) secured to
one another via sutures, staples, adhesive, and/or other suitable
coupling devices. Alternatively, the damping device 1600 can have a
longitudinal slit for receiving the artery therethrough. In either
of the foregoing extravascular embodiments, the damping device 1600
is configured to be positioned around the circumference of the
artery A so that the inner surface 1612 (FIG. 16B) is adjacent
and/or in contact with the outer surface of the arterial wall. In
other embodiments, the damping device 1600 can be configured to be
positioned intravascularly (e.g., within the artery lumen) such
that an outer surface of the damping device 1600 is adjacent and/or
in contact with the inner surface of the arterial wall. In such
intravascular embodiments, the inner surface 1612 of the damping
member 1602 is adjacent or directly in contact with blood flowing
through the artery A.
[0074] The structural member 1604 can be a generally cylindrical
structure configured to expand from a low-profile state to a
deployed state. The structural member 1604 is configured to provide
structural support to secure the damping device 1600 to a selected
region of the artery. In some embodiments, the structural member
1604 can be a stent formed from a laser cut metal, such as a
superelastic and/or shape memory material (e.g., Nitinol) or
stainless steel. All or a portion of the structural member 1604 can
include a radiopaque coating to improve visualization of the device
1600 during delivery, and/or the structural member 1604 may include
one or more radiopaque markers. In other embodiments, the
structural member 1604 may comprise a mesh or woven (e.g., a braid)
construction in addition to or in place of a laser cut stent. For
example, the structural member 1604 can include a tube or braided
mesh formed from a plurality of flexible wires or filaments
arranged in a diamond pattern or other configuration. In some
embodiments, all or a portion of the structural member 1604 can be
covered b a graft material (such as Dacron) to promote sealing with
the vessel wall. Additionally, all or a portion of the structural
member 1604 can include one or more biomaterials.
[0075] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the structural
member 1604 is positioned radially outwardly of the damping member
1602 and extends along the entire length of the damping member 1602
(though a middle portion of the structural member 1604 is cut-away
in FIG. 16A for illustrative purposes only). In other embodiments,
the structural member 1604 and the damping member 1602 may have
other suitable configurations. For example, the damping device 1600
can include more than one structural member 1604 (e.g., two
structural members, three structural members, etc.). Additionally,
in some embodiments the structural member(s) 1604 may extend along
only a portion of the damping member 1602 such that a portion of
the length of the damping member 1602 is not surrounded and/or
axially aligned with any portion of the structural member 1604.
Also, in some embodiments, all or a portion of the damping member
1602 may be positioned radially outwardly of all or a portion of
the structural member 1604.
[0076] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the damping
member 1602 includes a proximal damping element 1606a and a distal
damping element 1606b. The damping member 1602 may further include
optional channels 1608 extending between the proximal and distal
damping elements 1606a, 1606b. The channels 1608, for example, can
extend in a longitudinal direction along the damping device 1600
and fluidly couple the proximal damping element 1606a to the distal
damping element 1606b. The damping member 1602 may further include
an abating substance 1610 configured to deform in response to fluid
stress (such as blood flow), thereby absorbing at least a portion
of the stress. For example, as best shown in FIG. 16B, in one
embodiment the abating substance 1610 includes a plurality of fluid
particles F (only one fluid particle labeled) contained in the
proximal damping element 1606a, distal damping element 1606b, and
channels) 1608. As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to liquids
and/or gases, and "fluid particles" refers to liquid particles
and/or gas particles. In some embodiments, the damping member 1602
is a gel, and the plurality of fluid particles F are dispersed
within a network of solid particles. In other embodiments, the
damping member 1602 may include only fluid particles F (e.g., only
gas particles, only liquid particles, or only gas and liquid
particles) contained within a flexible and/or elastic membrane that
defines the proximal damping member 1606a, the distal damping
member 1606b, and the channels) 1608. The viscosity and/or
composition of the abating substance 1610 may be the same or may
vary along the length and/or circumference of the damping member
1602.
[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the channels
1608 have a resting radial thickness t.sub.r and circumferential
thickness (FIG. 16A) that is less than the resting radial thickness
t.sub.r and circumferential thickness t.sub.c, respectively, of the
proximal and distal damping elements 1606a, 1606b. As best shown in
FIG. 16A, in some embodiments the proximal and distal damping
elements 1606a and 1606b may extend around the full circumference
of the damping device 1600 and the channels 1608 may extend around
only a portion of the circumference of the damping device 1600. In
other embodiments, the channels 1608 can have a resting radial
thickness t.sub.r that is generally the same as that of the
proximal and distal damping elements 1606a, 1606b (see damping
elements 1906a-c and channels 1908 in FIGS. 19A and 19B) and/or a
resting circumferential thickness t.sub.c that is generally the
same as that of the proximal and distal damping elements 1606a,
1606b.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 16B, when a pulse wave PW traveling
through the artery A applies a stress at a first axial location
L.sub.1 along the length of the damping member 1602 (e.g., at
wavefront WF), at least a portion of the fluid particles move away
from the first axial location L.sub.1 to a second axial location
L.sub.2 along the length of the damping member 1602. As such, at
least a portion of the fluid particles are redistributed along the
length of the damping member 1602 such that the inner diameter ID
of the damping member 1602 increases at the first axial location
L.sub.1 while the inner diameter ID decreases at another axial
location (e.g., L.sub.2). For example, as the wavefront WF passes
through the proximal portion 1600a of the device 1600, the portion
of the artery A aligned with the wavefront WF dilates, thereby
applying a stress to the proximal damping element 1606a and forcing
at least some of the fluid particles in the proximal damping
element 1606a to move distally within the damping member 1602. At
least some of the displaced fluid particles are forced through the
channels) 1608 and into the distal damping element 1606b, thereby
increasing the volume of the distal damping element 1606b and
decreasing the inner diameter ID of the damping device 1600 at the
distal portion 1600b. The decreased inner diameter ID of the
damping device 1600 provides an impedance to the blood flow that
absorbs at least a portion of the energy in the pulse wave when the
blood flow reaches the distal damping member 1606b. As the
wavefront WF then passes through the distal portion 1600b of the
device 1600, the portion of the artery A aligned with the wavefront
WF dilates, thereby applying a stress to the distal damping element
1606b and forcing at least some of the fluid particles currently in
the distal damping element 1606b to move proximally within the
damping member 1602. At least some of the displaced fluid particles
are forced through the channel(s) 1608 and into the proximal
damping element 1606a, thereby increasing the volume of the
proximal damping element 1606a and decreasing the inner diameter ID
of the device 1600 at the proximal portion 1600a. Movement of the
fluid particles and/or deformation of the damping member 1602 in
response to the pulse wave absorbs at least a portion of the energy
carried by the pulse wave, thereby reducing the stress on the
arterial wall distal to the device.
[0079] When the damping member 1602 deforms in response to the
pulse wave, the shape of the structural member 1604 may remain
generally unchanged, thereby providing the support to facilitate
redistribution of the fluid particles within and along the damping
member 1602. In other embodiments, the structural member 1604 may
also deform in response to the local fluid stress.
[0080] FIG. 17A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
damping device 1700 in accordance with the present technology. FIG.
17B is a cross-sectional view of the damping device 1700 positioned
in an artery A during transmission of a pulse wave PW through the
portion of the artery A surrounded by the damping device 1700. The
damping device 1700 can include a structural member 1704 and a
damping member 1702. The structural member 1701 can be generally
similar to the structural member 1604 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.
The damping member 1702 is defined by a single chamber 1705
including an abating substance 1610 and a plurality of baffles 1720
that separate the chamber 1705 into three fluidically-coupled
compartments 1706a, 1706b, and 1706c. The baffles 1720 extend only
a portion of the radial thickness of the damping member 1702,
thereby leaving a gap G between the end of the baffles 1720 and an
inner wall 1722 of the damping member 1702. In other embodiments,
the damping device 1700 can include more or fewer compartments
(e.g., a single, tubular compartment (no baffles), two
compartments, four compartments, etc.). Moreover, the baffles 1720
may extend around all or a portion of the circumference of the
damping member 1702.
[0081] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
damping device 1800 in accordance with the present technology, and
FIG. 18B is a front view of the damping device 1800, shown in a
deployed state positioned around an artery A. Referring to FIGS.
18A-18B together, the damping device 1800, in a deployed, relaxed
state, includes a generally tubular sidewall 1805 that defines a
lumen. The damping device 1800 can be formed of a generally
parallelogram-shaped element that is wrapped around a mandrel in a
helical configuration and heat set. In other embodiments, the
damping device 1800 can have other suitable shapes and
configurations in the unfurled, non-deployed state. As shown in
FIG. 18B, in the deployed state, the damping device 1800 is
configured to be wrapped helically along or around the
circumference of an artery supplying blood to the brain. Opposing
longitudinal edges 1807 of the damping device 1800 come together in
the deployed state to a helical path along the longitudinal axis of
the artery A. The damping device 1800 can include any of the
coupling devices described with respect to FIGS. 13-15 to secure
all or a portion of the opposing longitudinal edges to one
another.
[0082] As best shown in FIG. 18A, the sidewall 1805 of the damping
device 1800 includes a structural member 1804 and a damping member
1802. The structural member 1804 can be generally similar to the
structural member 1604 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, except the
structural member 1804 of FIGS. 18A and 18B has a helical
configuration in the deployed state. The damping member 1802 can be
generally similar to any of the damping members described herein,
especially those described with respect to FIGS. 13-17B and 19A and
19B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the damping
member 1802 is positioned radially inwardly of the structural
member 1804 when the damping device 1800 is in the deployed state.
In other embodiments, the damping member 1802 may be positioned
radially outwardly of the structural member 1804 when the damping
device 1800 is in the deployed state.
[0083] The damping device 1800 may be configured to wrap around the
circumference of the artery A so that the inner surface 1812 (FIG.
18A) is adjacent and/or in contact with the outer surface of the
arterial wall. In other embodiments, the damping device 1800 can be
configured to be positioned intravascularly within the artery
lumen) such that an outer surface of the damping device 1800 is
adjacent and/or in contact with the inner surface of the arterial
wall in such intravascular embodiments, the inner surface 1812 of
the damping member 1802 is adjacent or directly in contact with
blood flowing through the artery A.
[0084] FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective and top views,
respectively, of a damping device 1900 that can define one
embodiment of the damping device 1800 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.
In FIGS. 19A and 19B, the damping device 1900 is shown in an
unfurled, non-deployed state. The damping device 1900 includes a
damping member 1902 having a plurality of chambers 1906a, 1906b,
1906c spaced apart along a longitudinal dimension of the damping
device 1900 in the unfurled state, The chambers 1906a, 1906b, 1906c
may be fluidly coupled by channels 1908 extending between adjacent
chambers. The damping device 1900 can thus operate in a manner
similar to the damping device 1600 where an abating substance (not
shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B) in the chambers 1906a-c moves through
the channels 1908 to inflated/deflate individual chambers in
response to a pressure wave traveling through the blood vessel. The
displacement of the abating substance within the chambers 1906a-c
attenuates the energy of the pulse wave to reduce the impact of the
pulse wave distally of the damping device 1900.
[0085] The following examples are illustrative of several
embodiments of the present technology:
[0086] 1. A device for treating or slowing the progression of
dementia, comprising: [0087] a flexible, compliant damping member
configured to be intravascularly positioned within an artery at a
treatment site, the damping member being transformable between a
low-profile state for delivery to the treatment site and an
expanded state, wherein the damping member includes a generally
tubular sidewall having (a) an outer surface, (b) an inner surface
defining a lumen configured to direct blood flow, (c) a first end
portion, (d) a second end portion opposite the first end portion
along the length of the damping member, and (e) a damping region
between the first and second end portions, wherein the inner
surface and outer surface are spaced apart by a distance that is
greater at the damping region than at either of the first or second
end portions; and [0088] a first anchoring member coupled to the
first end portion of the damping member and a second anchoring
member coupled to the second end portion of the damping member,
wherein the first and second anchoring members, in a deployed
state, extend radially to a deployed diameter configured to contact
a portion of the arterial wall at the treatment site, thereby
securing the damping member at the treatment site, and wherein the
first and second anchoring members extend along only a portion of
the length of the damping member such that at least a portion of
the damping region is exposed between the first and second
anchoring members and allowed to expand to a diameter greater than
the deployed diameter.
[0089] 2. The device of example 1 wherein the damping member is
configured to deform in response to a change in blood pressure.
[0090] 3. The device of example 1 or example 2 wherein, at a
location along the damping member coincident with a leading end of
a pulse pressure wave, the distance between the inner surface and
the outer surface of the damping member decreases in response to
the pressure.
[0091] 4. The device of any one of examples 1-3 wherein the lumen
of the damping member has an hourglass shape.
[0092] 5. The device of any one of examples 1-4 wherein the outer
surface is generally cylindrical and the inner surface is
undulating.
[0093] 6. The device of any one of examples 1-5 wherein each of the
first and second anchoring members is an expandable stent.
[0094] 7. The device of any one of examples 1-5 wherein the each of
the first and second anchoring members is an expandable mesh.
[0095] 8. The device of any one of examples 1-5 wherein each of the
first and second anchoring members is at least one of an expandable
stent and an expandable mesh.
[0096] 9. The device of any one of examples 1-8 wherein each of the
first and second anchoring members is positioned around a
circumference of the damping member.
[0097] 10. The device of any one of examples 1-8 wherein at least a
portion of each of the first and second anchoring members is
positioned within the damping member and extends through at least a
portion of the thickness of the sidewall.
[0098] 11. The device of any one of examples 1-10 wherein the
damping region is a first damping region, and wherein the damping
member includes a plurality of damping regions between the first
and second end portions.
[0099] 12. The device of any one of examples 1-11 wherein at least
one of the first and second anchoring members comprise a plurality
of fixation devices extending radially outwardly from the outer
surface of the damping device.
[0100] 13. The device of any one of examples 1-12 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the left common carotid artery.
[0101] 14. The device of any one of examples 1-13 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the right common carotid artery.
[0102] 15. The device of any one of examples 1-14 wherein the
device is configured to treat Alzheimer's disease.
[0103] 16. The device of any one of examples 1-15 wherein the
device is configured to reduce the occurrence of microbleeds in one
or more branches of the artery downstream from the treatment
site.
[0104] 17. A device for treating dementia, comprising: [0105] a
damping member configured to be intravascularly positioned within
an artery at a treatment site and having a lumen configured to
direct blood flow to distal vasculature, the damping member being
transformable between a low-profile state for delivery to the
treatment site and an expanded state, wherein the damping member
includes a damping region having a pressure limiter projecting
laterally inwardly into the lumen to distribute pressure downstream
from the damping member when a pulse pressure wave propagates along
the damping member during systole; and [0106] an anchoring member
coupled to the damping member, wherein the anchoring member, in a
deployed state, is configured to extend outwardly to a deployed
diameter and contact a portion of the blood vessel wall at the
treatment site, thereby securing the damping member at the
treatment site, wherein the anchoring member extends along only a
portion of the length of the damping member such that the damping
region of the damping member is allowed to extend radially outward
beyond the deployed diameter of the anchoring member.
[0107] 18. The device of example 17 wherein the damping member is
configured to deform in response to a change in blood pressure.
[0108] 19. The device of example 17 or example 18 wherein, at a
location along the damping member coincident with a leading end of
a pulse pressure wave, the distance between the inner surface and
the outer surface of the damping member decreases in response to
the pressure.
[0109] 20. The device of any one of examples 17-19 wherein the
lumen of the damping member has an hourglass shape.
[0110] 21. The device of any one of examples 17-20 wherein the
anchoring member is an expandable stent.
[0111] 22. The device of any one of examples 17-20 wherein the
anchoring member is an expandable mesh.
[0112] 23. The device of any one of examples 17-20 wherein the
anchoring member is at least one of an expandable stent and an
expandable mesh.
[0113] 24. The device of any one of examples 17-23 wherein the
anchoring member is positioned around a circumference of the
damping member.
[0114] 25. The device of any one of examples 17-23 wherein at least
a portion of the anchoring member is positioned within the damping
member and extends through at least a portion of the thickness of
the sidewall.
[0115] 26. The device of any one of examples 17-25 wherein the
damping region is a first damping region, and wherein the damping
member includes a plurality of damping regions between the first
and second end portions.
[0116] 27. The device of any one of examples 17-26 wherein the
anchoring member includes a plurality of fixation devices extending
radially outwardly from the outer surface of the damping
device.
[0117] 28. The device of any one of examples 17-27 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the left common carotid artery.
[0118] 29. The device of any one of examples 17-28 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the right common carotid artery.
[0119] 30. The device of any one of examples 17-29 wherein the
device is configured to treat Alzheimer's disease.
[0120] 31. The device of any one of examples 17-29 wherein the
device is configured to reduce the occurrence of microbleeds in
portions of the blood vessel downstream from the treatment
site.
[0121] 32. A device for treating dementia, comprising: [0122] a
flexible, compliant damping member configured to be intravascularly
positioned within an artery at a treatment site, the damping member
being transformable between a low-profile state for delivery to the
treatment site and an expanded state, wherein the damping member
includes a generally tubular sidewall having (a) an outer surface,
(b) an inner surface defining a lumen configured to direct blood
flow, (c) a first end portion, (d) a second end portion opposite
the first end portion along the length of the damping member, and
(e) a damping region between the first and second end portions,
Wherein the inner surface and outer surface are spaced apart by a
distance that is greater at the damping region than at either of
the first or second end portions; and [0123] a first anchoring
member coupled to the first end portion of the damping member and a
second anchoring member coupled to the second end portion of the
damping member, wherein the first and second anchoring members, in
a deployed state, extend radially to a deployed diameter configured
to contact a portion of the blood vessel wall at the treatment
site, thereby securing the damping member at the treatment site,
and [0124] wherein, when blood flows through the damping member
during systole, the damping member absorbs a portion of the
pulsatile energy of the blood, thereby reducing a magnitude of a
pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the blood vessel distal
to the damping device.
[0125] 33. A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising: [0126]
an anchoring system having a first portion and a second portion;
and [0127] a cushioning member located between the first and second
portions of the anchoring system such that a portion of the
cushioning member is not constrained by the anchoring system, and
wherein the cushioning member is configured to absorb pulsatile
energy transmitted by blood flowing with the vessel.
[0128] 34. The device of example 33 wherein the cushioning member
is configured to expand in response to an increase of blood
pressure within the vessel, and relax as the blood pressure within
the vessel subsequently decreases.
[0129] 35. A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising: [0130]
an endovascular cushioning device having a proximal anchor and a
distal anchor, each of the proximal and distal anchors being
configured to abut against an inner wall of a major artery; and
[0131] an elastically deformable member extending between the
proximal and distal anchors, [0132] wherein the elastically
deformable member is configured to expand in response to an
increase of blood pressure within the vessel, and relax as the
blood pressure within the vessel subsequently decreases.
[0133] 36. The device of example 35 wherein a portion of the
elastically deformable membrane located longitudinally between the
proximal and distal anchors defines a region of reduced internal
cross-sectional area relative to the proximal and distal anchors
when the elastically deformable membrane is radially relaxed.
[0134] 37. The device of example 35 or example 36 wherein the
proximal and distal anchors are each radially expandable between a
first diameter before deployment and a second diameter after
deployment.
[0135] 38. The device of any one of examples 35-37, further
comprising one or more threads secured to the proximal anchor.
[0136] 39. The device of example 38 wherein each thread is secured
to an eyelet.
[0137] 40. A device for treating an artery selected from a left
common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, a
brachiocephalic artery, the ascending aorta, an internal carotid
artery, or an abdominal aorta, the device comprising: [0138] a wrap
fabricated from an elastically deformable material, and [0139] an
engagement formation adapted to secure two opposing edges of the
wrap around the artery, [0140] wherein the elastically deformable
material is configured to radially expand during a systole stage
and radially contract during a diastole stage.
[0141] 41. The device of example 40 wherein the engagement
formation includes sutures and/or staples.
[0142] 42. The device of example 41 wherein the engagement
formation includes a zip lock.
[0143] 43. A device for treating a left common carotid artery, a
right common carotid artery, a brachiocephalic artery, or an
ascending aorta, the device comprising: [0144] a proximal anchor
configured to be wrapped around the artery; [0145] a distal anchor
configured to be wrapped around the artery and longitudinally
spaced relative to the proximal anchor; and [0146] a helical band
adapted to be wound around the artery, the helical band having a
first end securable to the proximal anchor and an opposing second
end securable to the distal anchor, wherein the helical band is
adapted to radially expand during a systole stage and radially
contract during a diastole stage.
[0147] 44. device for treating or slowing the effects of dementia,
comprising: [0148] a damping member having a low-profile state and
a deployed state, wherein, in the deployed state, the damping
member comprises a deformable, generally tubular sidewall having an
outer surface and an inner surface that is undulating in a
longitudinal direction, and wherein the sidewall is configured to
be positioned in apposition with a Hood vessel wall to absorb
pulsatile energy transmitted by blood flowing through the blood
vessel.
[0149] 45. The device of example 1 wherein the damping member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with at least one of a
left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, and a
brachiocephalic artery.
[0150] 46. The device of example 44 or example 45 wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
ascending aorta.
[0151] 47. The device of any one of examples 44-46 wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
inner surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0152] 48. The device of any one of examples 44-46 wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
outer surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0153] 49. The device of any one of examples 44-48 wherein the
sidewall has an inner diameter, and, when the damping member is in
a deployed state, the inner diameter increases then decreases in an
axial direction.
[0154] 50. The device of any one of examples 44-49 wherein the
cross-sectional area decreases then increases in longitudinal
direction.
[0155] 51. The device of any one of examples 44-50 wherein the
outer surface has a generally cylindrical shape.
[0156] 52. The device of any one of examples 44-50 wherein the
outer surface has an undulating shape.
[0157] 53. The device of any one of examples 44-52, further
comprising an anchoring member coupled to the damping member and
axially aligned with only a portion of the damping member, wherein
the anchoring member is configured to engage the blood vessel wall
and secure the damping member to the blood vessel wall.
[0158] 54. The device of any one of examples 44-53 wherein the
anchoring member is a first anchoring member and the device further
comprises a second anchoring member coupled to the damping member,
and wherein the second anchoring member: [0159] is axially aligned
with only a portion of the damping member, and [0160] is spaced
apart from the first anchoring member along the longitudinal axis
of the damping member.
[0161] 55. The device of any one of examples 44-54 wherein, when
the damping member is positioned adjacent the blood vessel wall,
the damping member does not constrain the diameter of the blood
vessel wall.
[0162] 56. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0163] an elastic member having a low-profile
state for delivery to a treatment site at a blood vessel wall and a
deployed state, wherein, in the deployed state, the elastic member
is configured to abut an arterial wall and form a generally tubular
structure having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an outer
surface, and an undulating inner surface, and wherein at least one
of the outer diameter and the inner diameter increases and
decreases in response to an increase and a decrease in pulse
pressure within the blood vessel, respectively.
[0164] 57. The device of example 56 wherein the elastic member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with at least one of a
left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, and a
brachiocephalic artery.
[0165] 58. The device of example 56 or example 57 wherein the
elastic member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
ascending aorta.
[0166] 59. The device of any one of examples 56-58 wherein the
elastic member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
inner surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0167] 60. The device of any one of examples 56-58 wherein the
elastic member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
outer surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0168] 61. The device of any one of examples 56-60 wherein the
sidewall has an inner diameter, and, when the elastic member is in
a deployed state, the inner diameter increases then decreases in an
axial direction.
[0169] 62. The device of any one of examples 56-61 wherein the
cross-sectional area decreases then increases in longitudinal
direction.
[0170] 63. The device of any one of examples 56-62 wherein the
outer surface has a generally cylindrical shape.
[0171] 64. The device of any one of examples 56-62 wherein the
outer surface has an undulating shape.
[0172] 65. The device of any one of examples 56-64, further
comprising an anchoring member coupled to the elastic member and
axially aligned with only a portion of the elastic member, wherein
the anchoring member is configured to engage the blood vessel wall
and secure the elastic member to the blood vessel wall.
[0173] 66. The device of example 65 wherein the anchoring member is
a first anchoring member and the device further comprises a second
anchoring member coupled to the elastic member, and wherein the
second anchoring member: [0174] is axially aligned with only a
portion of the elastic member, and [0175] is spaced apart from the
first anchoring member along the longitudinal axis of the elastic
member.
[0176] 67. The device of any one of examples 56-66 wherein, when
the elastic member is positioned adjacent the blood vessel wall,
the elastic member does not constrain the diameter of the blood
vessel wall.
[0177] 68. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0178] a damping member including an abating
substance, the damping member having a low-profile configuration
and a deployed configuration, wherein, when the damping member is
in the deployed configuration, the damping member forms a generally
tubular structure configured to be positioned along the
circumference of an artery such that, when a pulse wave traveling
through the artery applies a stress at a first axial location along
the length of the tubular structure, at least a portion of the
abating substance moves away from the first location to a second
axial location along the length of the tubular structure.
[0179] 69. The device of example 68, further comprising a
structural element coupled to the damping member.
[0180] 70. The device of example 68 or example 69 wherein, in the
deployed state, the damping member is configured to wrap around at
least a portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0181] 71. The device of any one of examples 68-70 wherein, in the
deployed state, the device has a pre-set helical configuration.
[0182] 72. The device of any one of examples 68-71 wherein the
damping member includes a liquid.
[0183] 73. The device of any one of examples 68-72 wherein the
damping member includes a gas.
[0184] 74. The device of any one of examples 68-73 wherein the
damping member includes a gel.
[0185] 75. The device of any one of examples 68-74 Wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned in apposition with an outer surface of the arterial
wall.
[0186] 76. The device of any one of examples 68-74 wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned around the arterial wall such that an inner surface of
the damping member is in contact with Hood flowing through the
artery.
[0187] 77. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0188] a damping member including a plurality
of fluid particles, the damping member having a low-profile
configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein, when the
damping member is in the deployed configuration, the damping member
is configured to be positioned along the circumference of an artery
at a treatment site along a length of the artery, [0189] wherein,
when the damping member is in a deployed configuration and
positioned at the treatment site, a wavefront traveling through the
length of the artery redistributes at least a portion of the fluid
particles along the length of the damping member such that the
inner diameter of the damping member increases at the axial
location along the damping member aligned with the wavefront while
the inner diameter of the damping member at another axial location
along the damping member decreases.
[0190] 78. The device of example 77, further comprising a
structural element coupled to the damping member.
[0191] 79. The device of example 77 or example 78 wherein, in the
deployed state, the damping member is configured to wrap around at
least a portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0192] 80. The device of any one of examples 77-79 wherein, in the
deployed state, the device has a pre-set helical configuration.
[0193] 81. The device of any one of examples 77-80 wherein the
damping member includes a liquid.
[0194] 82. The device of any one of examples 77-81 wherein the
damping member includes a gas.
[0195] 83. The device of any one of examples 77-82 wherein the
damping member includes a gel.
[0196] 84. The device of any one of examples 77-83 wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned in apposition with an outer surface of the arterial
wall.
[0197] 85. The device of any one of examples 77-84 wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned around the arterial wall such that an inner surface of
the damping member is in contact with blood flowing through the
artery.
[0198] 86. A method for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0199] positioning a damping device in
apposition with at least one of the brachiocephalic artery, the
right common carotid artery, the left common carotid artery, the
ascending aorta, and the aortic arch, the damping device comprising
an elastic, generally tubular sidewall whereby the damping device
absorbs pulsatile energy transmitted by blood flowing through the
at least one of the brachiocephalic artery, the right common
carotid artery, the left common carotid artery, the ascending
aorta, and the aortic arch.
[0200] 87. A method for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0201] positioning a damping device in
apposition with the wall of an artery that delivers blood to the
brain, the damping device comprising an elastic, generally tubular
sidewall having an outer surface and an undulating inner surface;
and [0202] in response to a pulse pressure wave in blood flowing
through the blood vessel, a contour of at least one of the inner
surface and the outer surface changes.
[0203] 88. A method for treating at least one of the
brachiocephalic artery, the right common carotid artery, the left
common carotid artery, the ascending aorta, and the aortic arch,
the method comprising: [0204] positioning a damping device in
apposition with a blood vessel wall, the damping device comprising
an elastic, generally tubular sidewall; [0205] expanding at least
one of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the damping
device in response to an increase in pulse pressure; and [0206]
contracting at least one of the inner diameter and the outer
diameter of the damping device in response to a decrease in pulse
pressure.
[0207] 89. A method of treating a blood vessel, comprising: [0208]
inserting a catheter into a vessel and directing a tip of the
catheter to a desired vascular location; [0209] transferring a
distal anchor from within the catheter tip into the vessel; [0210]
expanding the distal anchor such that a radially outer portion of
the distal anchor engages with an inner wall of the vessel; [0211]
withdrawing the catheter slightly and transferring a proximal
anchor from the tip of the catheter into the vessel; [0212]
longitudinally positioning the proximal anchor at a desired
location; [0213] expanding the proximal anchor such that a radially
outer portion of the proximal anchor engages with an inner wall of
the vessel, wherein an elastically deformable member extends
longitudinally between the proximal and distal anchors.
[0214] 90. The method of example 89 wherein transferring the distal
anchor includes advancing the distal anchor from the tip of the
catheter.
[0215] 91. The method of example 89 or example 90 wherein
transferring the distal anchor includes withdrawing the tip of the
catheter whilst the distal anchor remains at a generally constant
longitudinal position within the vessel, and exits from the tip of
the catheter.
[0216] 92. The method of any one of examples 89-91 wherein
longitudinally positioning the proximal anchor includes applying a
first tensile force to one or more threads frangibly secured to the
proximal anchor.
[0217] 93. The method of example 92, further including frangibly
rupturing the thread(s) after expanding the proximal anchor by
applying a second tensile force which is greater than the first
tensile force.
[0218] 94. The method of example 92, further including disengaging
a ring, latch or clasp secured to the thread(s) after expanding the
proximal anchor in order to disengage the thread from the proximal
anchor.
[0219] 95. The method of any one of examples 89-94, further
including imaging to determine the location of the proximal and/or
distal anchors.
[0220] 96. A method of treating a blood vessel selected from a left
common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery or a
brachiocephalic artery, a carotid artery, a branch of any of the
foregoing, and an ascending aorta, the method comprising: [0221]
wrapping an elastically deformable material around the artery; and
[0222] attaching a first edge of the elastically deformable
material to an opposing second edge of the elastically deformable
material such that an internal diameter of the elastically
deformable material is smaller than an initial outer diameter of
the artery during a systole stage.
[0223] 97. A method for treating dementia, comprising: [0224]
intravascularly positioning a damping device within an artery at a
treatment site, wherein the damping device includes an anchoring
member coupled to an elastic, tubular damping member defining a
lumen therethrough; [0225] expanding the anchoring member and the
damping member from a low profile state to an expanded state such
that at least the anchoring member is in apposition with the
arterial wall at the treatment site; and [0226] changing a contour
of the damping member in response to a pulse pressure wave in blood
flow through the damping member.
[0227] 93. The method of example 97, further comprising reducing a
magnitude of the pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the
blood vessel distal to the damping device.
[0228] 99. The method of example 98 wherein reducing a magnitude of
the pulse pressure includes absorbing a portion of the pulsatile
energy of blood flowing through the artery.
[0229] 100. The method of any one of examples 97-99 wherein
changing a contour of the damping member includes increasing an
inner diameter of the lumen damping member while an outer diameter
of the damping member remains generally constant.
[0230] 101. The method of any one of examples 97-99 wherein
changing a contour of the damping member includes increasing an
inner diameter and an outer diameter of the lumen of the damping
member.
[0231] 102. The method of any one of examples 97-99 wherein
changing a contour of the damping member includes decreasing a
distance between an inner surface of the damping member and an
outer surface of the damping member.
[0232] 103. The method of example 1 wherein intravascularly
positioning a damping device includes intravascularly positioning a
damping device within a left common carotid artery at a treatment
site.
[0233] 104. The method of any one of examples 97-103 wherein
intravascularly positioning a damping device includes
intravascularly positioning a damping device within a right common
carotid artery at a treatment site.
[0234] 105. The method of any one of examples 97-104 wherein
expanding the anchoring member and expanding the damping member
occurs simultaneously.
[0235] 106. The method of any one of examples 97-105 wherein
expanding the anchoring member includes expanding the anchoring
member with a balloon.
[0236] 107. The method of any one of examples 97-105 wherein
expanding the anchoring member includes withdrawing a sheath to
expose the anchoring member to allow the anchoring member to
self-expand.
[0237] 108. The method of any one of examples 97-107 wherein
expanding the damping member includes expanding the damping member
with a balloon.
[0238] 109. The method of any one of examples 97-107 wherein
expanding the damping member includes withdrawing a sheath to
expose the damping member to allow the anchoring member to
self-expand.
[0239] 110. The method of any one of examples 97-109 wherein
expanding the anchoring member forces the damping member to
expand.
[0240] 111. The method of any one of examples 97-110 wherein:
[0241] the damping device is a first damping device, [0242] the
first damping device is intravascularly positioned at a first
arterial location, and [0243] the method further comprises
intravascularly positioning a second damping device at a second
arterial location different than the first arterial location.
[0244] 112. The method of example 111 wherein the first arterial
location is one of a left common carotid artery, a right common
carotid artery, an external carotid artery, an internal carotid
artery, and an ascending aorta, and the second arterial location is
one of a left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery,
an external carotid artery, an internal carotid artery, and an
ascending aorta.
[0245] 113. The method of example 111 wherein the first arterial
location is a left common carotid artery and the second arterial
location is a right common carotid artery.
[0246] 114. A method for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0247] positioning a damping member along a
length of an artery, the damping member including an abating
substance; and [0248] in response to a pulse wave traveling through
blood in the artery, redistributing at least a portion of the
abating compound along the length of the damping member, thereby
attenuating at least a portion of the energy of the pulse wave in
the blood.
[0249] 115. A method for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0250] positioning a damping member along a
length of an artery, the damping member including a plurality of
fluid particles; and [0251] moving a portion of the fluid particles
away from an axial location along the damping member aligned a
wavefront of a pulse wave, thereby increasing the inner diameter of
the damping member.
[0252] 116. A device for treating or slowing the progression of
dementia, comprising: [0253] a flexible, compliant damping member
configured to be intravascularly positioned within an artery at a
treatment site, the damping member being transformable between a
low-profile state for delivery to the treatment site and an
expanded state, wherein the damping member includes a generally
tubular sidewall having (a) an outer surface, (b) an inner surface
defining a lumen configured to direct blood flow, (c) a first end
portion, (d) a second end portion opposite the first end portion
along the length of the damping member, and (e) a damping region
between the first and second end portions, wherein the inner
surface and outer surface are spaced apart by a distance that is
greater at the damping region than at either of the first or second
end portions; and [0254] a first anchoring member coupled to the
first end portion of the damping member and a second anchoring
member coupled to the second end portion of the damping member,
wherein the first and second anchoring members, in a deployed
state, extend radially to a deployed diameter configured to contact
a portion of the arterial wall at the treatment site, thereby
securing the damping member at the treatment site, and wherein the
first and second anchoring members extend along only a portion of
the length of the damping member such that at least a portion of
the damping region is exposed between the first and second
anchoring members and allowed to expand to a diameter greater than
the deployed diameter.
[0255] 117. The device of example 116 wherein the clamping member
is elastically deformable, and is configured to deform in response
to a change in blood pressure.
[0256] 118. The device of example 116 or example 117 wherein, at a
location along the damping member coincident with a leading end of
a pulse pressure wave, the distance between the inner surface and
the outer surface of the damping member decreases in response to
the pressure.
[0257] 119. The device of any one of examples 116-118 wherein the
lumen of the damping member has an hourglass shape.
[0258] 120. The device of any one of example 116-119 wherein the
outer surface is generally cylindrical and the inner surface is
undulating.
[0259] 121. The device of any one of examples 116-120 wherein each
of the first and second anchoring members is an expandable
stent.
[0260] 122. The device of any one of examples 116-120 wherein the
each of the first and second anchoring members is an expandable
mesh.
[0261] 123. The device of any one of examples 116-120 wherein each
of the first and second anchoring members is at least one of an
expandable stent and an expandable mesh.
[0262] 124. The device of any one of examples 116-123 wherein each
of the first and second anchoring members is positioned around a
circumference of the damping member.
[0263] 125. The device of any one of examples 116-124 wherein at
least a portion of each of the first and second anchoring members
is positioned within the damping member and extends through at
least a portion of the thickness of the sidewall.
[0264] 126. The device of any one of examples 116-125 wherein the
damping region is a first damping region, and wherein the damping
member includes a plurality of damping regions between the first
and second end portions.
[0265] 127. The device of any one of examples 116-126 wherein at
least one of the first and second anchoring members comprise a
plurality of fixation devices extending radially outwardly from the
outer surface of the damping device.
[0266] 128. The device of any one of examples 116-127 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the left common carotid artery.
[0267] 129. The device of any one of examples 116-127 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the right common carotid artery.
[0268] 130. The device of any one of examples 116-129 wherein the
device is configured to treat Alzheimer's disease.
[0269] 131. The device of any one of examples 116-129 wherein the
device is configured to reduce the occurrence of microbleeds in one
or more branches of the artery downstream from the treatment
site.
[0270] 132. A device for treating dementia, comprising: [0271] a
damping member configured to be intravascularly positioned within
an artery at a treatment site and having a lumen configured to
direct blood flow to distal vasculature, the damping member being
transformable between a low-profile state for delivery to the
treatment site and an expanded state, wherein the damping member
includes a damping region having a pressure limiter projecting
laterally inwardly into the lumen to distribute pressure downstream
from the damping member when a pulse pressure wave propagates along
the damping member during systole; and [0272] an anchoring member
coupled to the damping member, wherein the anchoring member, in a
deployed state, is configured to extend outwardly to a deployed
diameter and contact a portion of the blood vessel wall at the
treatment site, thereby securing the damping member at the
treatment site, wherein the anchoring member extends along only a
portion of the length of the damping member such that the damping
region of the damping member is allowed to extend radially outward
beyond the deployed diameter of the anchoring member.
[0273] 133. The device of example 132 wherein the damping member is
elastically deformable, and is configured to deform in response to
a change in blood pressure.
[0274] 134. The device of example 132 or 133 wherein, at a location
along the damping member coincident with a leading end of a pulse
pressure wave, the distance between the inner surface and the outer
surface of the damping member decreases in response to the
pressure.
[0275] 135. The device of any one of examples 132-134 wherein the
lumen of the damping member has an hourglass shape.
[0276] 136. The device of any one of examples 132-135 wherein the
anchoring member is an expandable stent.
[0277] 137. The device of any one of examples 132-136 wherein the
anchoring member is an expandable mesh.
[0278] 138. The device of any one of examples 132-137 wherein the
anchoring member is at least one of an expandable stent and an
expandable mesh.
[0279] 139. The device of any one of examples 132-138 wherein the
anchoring member is positioned around a circumference of the
damping member.
[0280] 140. The device of any one of examples 132-139 wherein at
least a portion of the anchoring member is positioned within the
damping member and extends through at least a portion of the
thickness of the sidewall.
[0281] 141. The device of any one of examples 132-140 wherein the
damping region is a first damping region, and wherein the damping
member includes a plurality of damping regions between the first
and second end portions.
[0282] 142. The device of any one of examples 132-141 wherein the
anchoring member includes a plurality of fixation devices extending
radially outwardly from the outer surface of the damping
device.
[0283] 141 The device of any one of examples 132-142 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the left common carotid artery.
[0284] 144. The device of any one of examples 132-142 wherein the
device is configured to be positioned at a treatment site within
the right common carotid artery.
[0285] 145. The device of any one of examples 132-444 wherein the
device is configured to treat Alzheimer's disease.
[0286] 146. The device of any one of examples 132-145 wherein the
device is configured to reduce the occurrence of microbleeds in
portions of the blood vessel downstream from the treatment
site.
[0287] 147. A device for treating dementia, comprising: [0288] a
flexible, compliant damping member configured to be intravascularly
positioned within an artery at a treatment site, the damping member
being transformable between a low-profile state for delivery to the
treatment site and an expanded state, wherein the damping member
includes a generally tubular sidewall having (a) an outer surface,
(b) an inner surface defining a lumen configured to direct blood
flow, (c) a first end portion, (d) a second end portion opposite
the first end portion along the length of the damping member, and
(e) a damping region between the first and second end portions,
wherein the inner surface and outer surface are spaced apart by a
distance that is greater at the damping region than at either of
the first or second end portions; and [0289] a first anchoring
member coupled to the first end portion of the damping member and a
second anchoring member coupled to the second end portion of the
damping member, wherein the first and second anchoring members, in
a deployed state, extend radially to a deployed diameter configured
to contact a portion of the blood vessel wall at the treatment
site, thereby securing the damping member at the treatment site,
and [0290] wherein, when blood flows through the damping member
during systole, the damping member absorbs a portion of the
pulsatile energy of the blood, thereby reducing a magnitude of a
pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the blood vessel distal
to the damping device.
[0291] 148. A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising:
[0292] an anchoring system having a first portion and a second
portion which is spaced apart from the first portion in a first
direction; and [0293] a cushioning member located between the first
and second portions of the anchoring system such that movement of a
portion of the cushioning member in a second direction, which is
orthogonal to the first direction, is not constrained by the
anchoring system, and wherein the cushioning member is configured
to absorb pulsatile energy transmitted by blood flowing with the
vessel.
[0294] 149. The device of example 148 wherein the cushioning member
is elastically deformable and is configured to expand in response
to an increase of blood pressure within the vessel, and relax as
the blood pressure within the vessel subsequently decreases.
[0295] 150. A device for treating a blood vessel, comprising:
[0296] an endovascular cushioning device having a proximal anchor
and a distal anchor which is spaced apart from the proximal anchor,
each of the proximal and distal anchors being configured to abut
against an inner wall of a major artery; and [0297] an elastically
deformable member extending between the proximal and distal
anchors, [0298] wherein the elastically deformable member is
configured to expand in response to an increase of Hood pressure
within the vessel, and relax as the blood pressure within the
vessel subsequently decreases.
[0299] 151. The device of example 150 wherein a portion of the
elastically deformable membrane located longitudinally between the
proximal and distal anchors defines a region of reduced internal
cross-sectional area relative to the proximal and distal anchors
when the elastically deformable membrane is radially relaxed.
[0300] 152. The device of example 150 or example 151 wherein the
proximal and distal anchors are each radially expandable between a
first diameter before deployment and a second diameter after
deployment.
[0301] 153. The device of any one of examples 150-452, further
comprising one or more threads secured to the proximal anchor.
[0302] 154. The device of example 153 wherein each thread is
secured to an eyelet.
[0303] 155. A device for treating an artery selected from a left
common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, a
brachiocephalic artery, the ascending aorta, an internal carotid
artery, or an abdominal aorta, the device comprising: [0304] a wrap
fabricated from an elastically deformable material, and [0305] an
engagement formation adapted to secure two opposing edges of the
wrap around the artery, [0306] wherein the elastically deformable
material is configured to radially expand during a systole stage
and radially contract during a diastole stage.
[0307] 156. The device of example 155 wherein, when the wrap is in
position around the artery, the wrap entirely or substantially
entirely surrounds the artery over a portion of its length.
[0308] 157. The device of example 155 wherein the engagement
formation includes sutures and/or staples.
[0309] 158. The device of example 155 wherein the engagement
formation includes a zip lock.
[0310] 159. A device for treating a left common carotid artery, a
right common carotid artery, a brachiocephalic artery, or an
ascending aorta, the device comprising: [0311] a proximal anchor
configured to be wrapped around the artery; [0312] a distal anchor
configured to be wrapped around the artery and longitudinally
spaced relative to the proximal anchor; and [0313] a helical band
adapted to be wound around the artery, the helical band having a
first end securable to the proximal anchor and an opposing second
end securable to the distal anchor, wherein the helical band is
adapted to radially expand during a systole stage and radially
contract during a diastole stage.
[0314] 160. The device of example 159 wherein the first end of the
helical band is secured to the proximal anchor and the second end
of the helical band is secured to the distal anchor.
[0315] 161. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0316] a damping member comprising a
deformable, generally tubular sidewall having an outer surface and
an inner surface that is undulating in a longitudinal direction,
and wherein the sidewall is configured to be positioned in
apposition with a blood vessel wall to absorb pulsatile energy
transmitted by blood flowing through the blood vessel.
[0317] 162. The device of example 161 wherein the damping member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with at least one of a
left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, and a
brachiocephalic artery.
[0318] 163. The device of example 161 wherein the damping member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with an ascending
aorta.
[0319] 164. The device of any one of examples 161-163 wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
inner surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0320] 165. The device of any one of examples 161-163 wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
outer surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0321] 166. The device of any one of examples 161-165 wherein the
sidewall has an inner diameter, and, when the damping member is in
a deployed state, the inner diameter increases then decreases in an
axial direction.
[0322] 167. The device of any one of examples 161-166 wherein the
cross-sectional area decreases then increases in longitudinal
direction.
[0323] 168. The device of any one of examples 161-167 wherein the
outer surface has a generally cylindrical shape.
[0324] 169. The device of any one of example 161-167 wherein the
outer surface has an undulating shape.
[0325] 170. The device of any one of examples 161-169, further
comprising an anchoring member coupled to the damping member and
axially aligned with only a portion of the damping member, wherein
the anchoring member is configured to engage the blood vessel wall
and secure the damping member to the blood vessel wall.
[0326] 171. The device of example 170 wherein the anchoring member
is a first anchoring member and the device further comprises a
second anchoring member coupled to the damping member, and wherein
the second anchoring member: [0327] is axially aligned with only a
portion of the damping member, and [0328] is spaced apart from the
first anchoring member along the longitudinal axis of the damping
member.
[0329] 172. The device of any one of examples 161-171 wherein, when
the damping member is positioned adjacent the blood vessel wall,
the damping member does not constrain the diameter of the blood
vessel wall.
[0330] 173. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0331] an elastic member which is configured
to abut an arterial wall and form a generally tubular structure
having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, an outer surface, and
an undulating inner surface, and wherein at least one of the outer
diameter and the inner diameter increases and decreases in response
to an increase and a decrease in pulse pressure within the blood
vessel, respectively.
[0332] 174. The device of example 173 wherein the elastic member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with at least one of a
left common carotid artery, a right common carotid artery, and a
brachiocephalic artery.
[0333] 175. The device of example 173 wherein the elastic member is
configured to be positioned in apposition with an ascending
aorta.
[0334] 176. The device of any one of examples 173-175 wherein the
elastic member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
inner surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0335] 177. The device of any one of examples 173-175 wherein the
elastic member is configured to be positioned in apposition with an
outer surface of the blood vessel wall.
[0336] 178. The device of any one of examples 173-177 wherein the
sidewall has an inner diameter, and, when the elastic member is in
a deployed state, the inner diameter increases then decreases in an
axial direction.
[0337] 179. The device of any one of examples 173-178 wherein the
cross-sectional area decreases then increases in longitudinal
direction.
[0338] 180. The device of any one of examples 173-179 wherein the
outer surface has a generally cylindrical shape.
[0339] 181. The device of any one of examples 173-179 wherein the
outer surface has an undulating shape.
[0340] 182. The device of any one of examples 173-181, further
comprising an anchoring member coupled to the elastic member and
axially aligned with only a portion of the elastic member, wherein
the anchoring member is configured to engage the blood vessel wall
and secure the elastic member to the blood vessel wall.
[0341] 183. The device of example 182 wherein the anchoring member
is a first anchoring member and the device further comprises a
second anchoring member coupled to the elastic member, and wherein
the second anchoring member: [0342] is axially aligned with only a
portion of the elastic member, and [0343] is spaced apart from the
first anchoring member along the longitudinal axis of the elastic
member.
[0344] 184. The device of any one of examples 173 to 23 wherein,
when the elastic member is positioned adjacent the blood vessel
wall, the elastic member does not constrain the diameter of the
blood vessel wall.
[0345] 185. The device of any one of examples 173-184 wherein the
damping member or elastic member has a low-profile state and a
deployed state.
[0346] 186. The device of example 185 wherein the deployed state is
for delivery to a treatment site at a blood vessel wall.
[0347] 187. The device of example 185 or 186 wherein the damping
member or elastic member has a first, lesser outer diameter when in
the low-profile state and a second, greater diameter when in the
deployed state.
[0348] 188. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0349] a damping member including an abating
substance, wherein the damping member forms a generally tubular
structure having an axis, wherein the abating substance is able to
move axially relative to the tubular structure, and wherein the
damping member is configured to be positioned along the
circumference of an artery such that, when a pulse wave traveling
through the artery applies a stress at a first axial location along
the length of the tubular structure, at least a portion of the
abating substance moves away from the first location to a second
axial location along the length of the tubular structure.
[0350] 189. The device of example 188, wherein the abating
substance comprises a quantity of a fluid and/or gel comprising
particles, contained within a flexible member, and the particles
may move axially relative to the tubular structure within the
flexible member.
[0351] 190. The device of example 189 wherein the flexible member
may, at at least some locations along the length of the tubular
structure, be deformed radially with respect to the tubular
structure.
[0352] 191. The device of any one of examples 188-190, further
comprising a structural element coupled to the damping member.
[0353] 192. The device of any one of examples 188-191 wherein, in a
deployed state, the damping member is configured to wrap around at
least a portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0354] 193. The device of example 192 wherein the damping member
includes a break along its length, to allow it to be fitted around
the portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0355] 194. The device of example 193, further comprising
cooperating sealing arrangements located on or near opposing edges
of the break, to allow the edges to be joined together once the
damping member has been fitted around the portion of the
circumference of the artery.
[0356] 195. The device of any one of examples 188-194 wherein, in a
deployed state, the device has a pre-set helical configuration.
[0357] 196. The device of any one of examples 188-195 wherein the
damping member includes a liquid.
[0358] 197. The device of any one of examples 188-196 wherein the
damping member includes a gas.
[0359] 198. The device of any one of examples 188-197 wherein the
damping member includes a gel.
[0360] 199. The device of any one of examples 188-198 wherein the
damping member, in a deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned in apposition with an outer surface of the arterial
wall.
[0361] 200. The device of any one of examples 188-199 wherein the
damping member, in a deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned around the arterial wall such that an inner surface of
the damping member is in contact with blood flowing through the
artery.
[0362] 201. A device for treating or slowing the effects of
dementia, comprising: [0363] wherein the fluid particles are able
to move axially along at least a part of the length of the damping
structure, the damping member being configured to be positioned
along the circumference of an artery at a treatment site along a
length of the artery, [0364] wherein, when the damping member is in
a deployed configuration and positioned at the treatment site, a
wavefront traveling through the length of the artery redistributes
at least a portion of the fluid particles along the length of the
damping member such that the inner diameter of the damping member
increases at the axial location along the damping member aligned
with the wavefront while the inner diameter of the damping member
at another axial location along the damping member decreases.
[0365] 202. The device of example 201 wherein the fluid particles
are contained within a flexible member, and the particles may move
along the length of the damping member within the flexible
member.
[0366] 203. The device of example 202 wherein the flexible member
may, at at least some locations along the length of the damping
member, be deformed radially with respect to the damping
member.
[0367] 204. The device of any one of examples 201-203, further
comprising a structural element coupled to the damping member.
[0368] 205. The device of any one of examples 201-204 wherein, in
the deployed state, the damping member is configured to wrap around
at least a portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0369] 206. The device of example 205 wherein the damping member
incudes a break along its length, to allow it to be fitted around
the portion of the circumference of the artery.
[0370] 207. The device of example 206, further comprising
cooperating sealing arrangements located on or near opposing edges
of the break, to allow the edges to be joined together once the
damping member has been fitted around the portion of the
circumference of the artery.
[0371] 208. The device of any one of examples 201-207 wherein, in
the deployed state, the device has a pre-set helical
configuration.
[0372] 209. The device of any one of examples 201-208 wherein the
damping member includes a liquid.
[0373] 210. The device of any one of examples 201-209 wherein the
damping member includes a gas.
[0374] 211. The device of any one of examples 201-210 wherein the
damping member includes a gel.
[0375] 212. The device of any one of examples 201-211 wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned in apposition with an outer surface of the arterial
wall.
[0376] 213. The device of any one of examples 201-212 wherein the
damping member, in the deployed configuration, is configured to be
positioned around the arterial wall such that an inner surface of
the damping member is in contact with blood flowing through the
artery.
[0377] 214. The device of any one of examples 201-213 wherein the
damping member has a low profile configuration and a deployed
configuration.
V. Conclusion
[0378] Although many of the embodiments are described above with
respect to systems, devices, and methods for treating and/or
slowing the progression of vascular and/or age-related dementia via
intravascular methods, the technology is applicable to other
applications and/or other approaches, such as surgical implantation
of one or more damping devices and/or treatment of blood vessels
other than arterial blood vessels supplying blood to the brain,
such as the abdominal aorta. Any appropriate site within a blood
vessel may be treated including, for example, the ascending aorta,
the aortic arch, the brachiocephalic artery, the right subclavian
artery, the left subclavian artery, the left common carotid artery,
the right common carotid artery, the internal and external carotid
arteries, and/or branches of any of the foregoing. Moreover, other
embodiments in addition to those described herein are within the
scope of the technology. Additionally, several other embodiments of
the technology can have different configurations, components, or
procedures than those described herein. A person of ordinary skill
in the art, therefore, will accordingly understand that the
technology can have other embodiments with additional elements, or
the technology can have other embodiments without several of the
features shown and described above with reference to FIGS.
2A-19B.
[0379] The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the
technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
technology to the precise form disclosed above. Where the context
permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or
singular term, respectively. Although specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the technology are described above fir illustrative
purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the
scope of the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will
recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order,
alternative embodiments may perform steps in a different order. The
various embodiments described herein may also be combined to
provide further embodiments.
[0380] Moreover, unless the word "or" is expressly limited to mean
only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a
list of two or more items, then the use of "or" in such a list is
to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b)
all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items
in the list. Additionally, the term "comprising" is used throughout
to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any
greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other
features are not precluded. It will also be appreciated that
specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of
illustration, hut that various modifications may be made without
deviating from the technology. Further, while advantages associated
with certain embodiments of the technology have been described in
the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also
exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily
exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology.
Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass
other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
* * * * *