A Hybrid Coil/Polymer Device for Occlusion of Cerebral Aneurysms

The treatment of cerebral aneurysms is frequently accomplished via endovascular delivery of metal coils in order to occlude the aneurysm and prevent rupture. This procedure involves imprecise packing of large lengths of wire into the aneurysm and often results in high rates of aneurysm recanalization. Over time, this incomplete aneurysm occlusion can lead to aneurysm enlargement, which may have fatal consequences. This report describes the fabrication and preliminary testing of a novel aneurysm occlusion device composed of a single metal coil surrounded by a biocompatible polymer shell. These coil-in-shell devices were tested under flow conditions in synthetic in vitro models of saccular aneurysms and deployed in vivo in a short-term porcine aneurysm model to study occlusion efficacy. A single nickel titanium shape memory wire was used to deploy a biocompatible, elastic polymeric shell, leading to aneurysmal sac filling in both in vitro and in vivo aneurysm models. The deployment of this coil-in-shell device in synthetic aneurysm models in vitro resulted in varying degrees of aneurysm occlusion, with less than 2% of trials resulting in significant leakage of fluid into the aneurysm. Meanwhile, in vivo coil-in-shell device implantation in a porcine aneurysm model provided proof-of-concept for successful occlusion, as both aneurysms were completely occluded by the devices. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that this coil-in-shell device may be attractive as an alternative to traditional coil embolization methods in some cases, allowing for a more precise and controlled aneurysm occlusion.