EMBOLIC DEVICE COMPOSED OF A LINEAR SEQUENCE OF MINIATURE BEADS

摘要

An embolic device (10) comprised of a linear sequence of flexibly interconnected miniature beads (14). The device (10) generally comprises a flexible elongate filament (16) having a linear sequence of miniature beads (14) disposed thereon. The beads (14) may be fixedly or slidably connected to the filament (16). The device (10) is configured to allow the beads to compress together for pushing through a catheter (12) to a target location and extended beyond a distal end of the catheter (12), whereupon the flexible string of beads may fold back upon itself so as to occupy a volume of space at the target location. The string of beads may be preconfigured to the exact length needed, or the distal end of the string may be cut or severed after placement at the target location. The beads (14) may be porous or hollow to allow them to function as drug delivery devices, and the string of beads may have an anchor device at one end to aid in anchorage of the string within the anatomy.