Patent Publication Number: US-11648013-B2

Title: Occlusion device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of occlusion devices and/or occlusion device systems and/or implantable occlusion devices and the treatment and/or amelioration of Left Atrial Appendage (LAA). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) or left auricle or auricula or left auricle appendix is a muscular pouch or wind-sock like structure projecting from the left atrium of the heart. During the disease pathology of atrial fibrillation (AF) or mitral valve disease or other heart conditions, blood clots can form in the LAA. For example, 10-20% of patients afflicted with AF will present with blood clot formation in the LAA. It is now known that 90% of the blood clots that form as a result of AF, form in the LAA. Blackshear J L, Odell J A (February 1996)  Ann. Thorac. Surg.  61 (2): 755-9. Such blood clots pose the risk of dislodging and becoming embolic material which may pose significant risks relating to stroke or other ischemic damage to the body&#39;s organs. As such, LAA occlusion treatment techniques are a viable option to the prevention of stroke in AF or other disorders involving blood clot formation in the LAA. 
     LAA occlusion is an alternative treatment strategy to blood clotting drugs or anticoagulants such as in the class of coumarin-type drugs, heparin-based drugs, small molecule inhibitor drugs, antithrombin protein-based drugs, and/or the like. Not all patients are suitable candidates for such blood clotting medicines due to underlying issues relating to prior bleeds, non-compliance, and/or pregnancy (17% of patients in one study: Gottlieb L K, Salem-Schatz S (September 1994)  Arch. Intern. Med.  154 (17): 1945-53), and are therefore in need of other treatment options such as the use of occlusion device strategies. 
     Current devices for LAA occlusion generally include an expandable nitinol frame or the like. One such catheter-based device comprises a body designed to occlude an LAA and a retention member secured to the body. However, while the use of such devices results in less hemorrhagic stroke than with anticoagulants alone, there are known disadvantages and limitations such as, without limitation, pericardial effusion, LAA closure, dislodgement of the device, blood clot formation on the device, anatomical incompatibilities and/or a combination thereof. Accordingly, there is a need for improved occlusion devices in the field. 
     While such occlusion devices may be found, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,025,060; 5,496,277; 5,928,260; 6,152,144; 6,168,622; 6,221,086; 6,334,048; 6,419,686; 6,506,204; 6,605,102; 6,589,256; 6,663,068; 6,669,721; 6,780,196; 7,044,134; 7,093,527; 7,128,073; 7,128,736; 7,152,605; 7,410,482; 7,722,641; 7,229,461; 7,410,482; 7,597,704; 7,695,488; 8,034,061; 8,080,032; 8,142,456; 8,261,648; 8,262,692; 8,361,138; 8,430,012; 8,454,633; 8,470,013; 8,500,751; 8,523,897; and 8,535,343; and United States Application Numbers 2003/0195553; 2004/0098027; 2006/0167494; 2006/0206199; 2007/0288083; 2008/0147100; 2008/0221600; 2010/0069948; 2011/0046658; 2012/0172973; 2012/0283768; 2012/0330341; 2013/0035712; 2013/0090682; 2013/0197622; 2013/0274868; and 2014/0005714; European Application Number EP 1651117; and International Application Numbers WO13/028579; WO13/109309; WO13/152327; none of these references disclose the embodiments of the occlusion device disclosed herein. 
     Reference is also made to commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/699,188; which discloses a device for treating endovascular disease, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Therefore, disclosed herein are innovative improvements and several advantages in the field of occlusion devices because the occlusion device disclosed herein provides LAA treatment and/or amelioration while promoting more effective endothelialization around the device. Accordingly, an improved LAA occlusion device as disclosed herein maximizes shielding of blood flow into the left atrial appendage and traps any clot inside. Additionally, the occlusion device disclosed herein has an open mesh density which permits enhanced tissue integration and stabilization of the device. Other advantages include, without limitation, elimination of the need to place large numbers of coils or framing wires or nitinol cages in the LAA pouch and the cost-effectiveness relating thereto; a higher level of compatibility with challenging anatomies that are incompatible with current devices requiring significant real estate in the left atrium space adjacent to the LAA; and significant time-saving opportunities from the use of a single implant. 
     All documents and references cited herein and in the referenced patent documents, are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventor has designed an occlusion device for providing LAA treatment. As such, an occlusion device of the present invention is for promoting stabilization and more effective endothelialization around the device and is configured for maximizing shielding of blood flow into the LAA and traps any clot inside. 
     Disclosed herein is an occlusion device comprising: (a) a substantially solid marker band having an inner and outer diameter, a proximal end, and a distal end; and (b) a resilient mesh body attached within the marker band, wherein the body is a length y, and wherein the body comprises a bolus of additional resilient mesh material of a length x, wherein y is greater than x, and wherein the body extends distally from the marker band and the body has a first delivery shape and a second expandable deployed shape. 
     In one embodiment, the resilient mesh body comprises a dual layer of mesh. In a further embodiment, the dual layer of mesh is a circumferentially folded dual layer of mesh. 
     In one embodiment, the resilient mesh body has an open mesh density for enhanced tissue integration and/or stabilization of the occlusion device. 
     In another embodiment, the resilient mesh body and the bolus of additional resilient mesh material are dissimilar metals. 
     In another embodiment, the resilient mesh body is constructed from a super elastic material. In a further embodiment, the resilient mesh body is constructed from nitinol. In yet another embodiment, the resilient mesh body is constructed from DFT platinum core nitinol. 
     In another embodiment, the bolus of additional resilient mesh is constructed from a super elastic material. In a further embodiment, the bolus of additional resilient mesh is constructed from nitinol. In yet another embodiment, the bolus of additional resilient mesh is constructed from DFT platinum core nitinol. 
     In another embodiment, the marker band comprises a rigid member. 
     In another embodiment, the marker band comprises a rigid member selected from the group consisting of a ring, collar, and suture. 
     In another embodiment, the marker band is reinforced. 
     In another embodiment, the occlusion device is a Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion device. 
     Also disclosed herein is a kit comprising the occlusion device disclosed herein and a delivery means for deploying the occlusion device. 
     Additionally disclosed herein are methods for manufacture and/or delivery and/or deployment of the occlusion device disclosed herein. 
     In other embodiments, the occlusion device in the preceding paragraphs may incorporate any of the preceding or subsequently disclosed embodiments. 
     The Summary of the Invention is not intended to define the claims nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of the occlusion device disclosed herein for LAA treatment. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an embodiment of the occlusion device disclosed herein deployed in a LAA pouch or cavity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is illustrated in the drawings and description in which like elements are assigned the same reference numerals. However, while particular embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, there is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment or embodiments disclosed. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the drawings are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. 
     Example implementations of the LAA occlusion device disclosed herein provide treatment and/or amelioration of LAA. Such an occlusion device is delivered intravascularly to the LAA site (pouch and/or cavity) via a catheter or other modes of delivery such that the deployed shape of the occlusion device forms a liner that at least seals the opening and/or inside of the LAA pouch, the substantially solid marker band traverses the opening of the LAA pouch or cavity while promoting more effective endothelialization around the device. 
     In an exemplary method of delivery of an occlusion device disclosed herein, a catheter is introduced into the left atrial space having a left atrial appendage (LAA), wherein there is formation of a blood clot or clots. The LAA generally includes the opening (or neck) of the LAA and the muscular pouch or cavity of the LAA. The catheter tip is positioned adjacent the opening of the LAA such that the occlusion device can be deployed. The occlusion device disclosed herein is configured of resilient mesh capable of expansion in a low profile manner, in the manner of an inverted mushroom, to effectively line the inside of the LAA pouch thereby occluding the LAA through promoting endothelialization around the device. 
     For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the terminology “low profile” means that the resilient mesh body of the device, in free air, has a height that is about 10-20% of its width, and therefore in its deployed shape the resilient mesh body, even though expanded, lay flush, in a flattened manner as in an inverted mushroom, up against the tissue walls of the LAA cavity such that it is positioned to cover at least partially, the interior surface of the LAA cavity. As such the opening and/or inside of the LAA pouch or cavity is sealed thereby occluding the LAA. 
     For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the terminology “corresponds to” means there is a functional and/or mechanical relationship between objects which correspond to each other. For example, an occlusion device delivery system corresponds to (or is compatible with) an occlusion device for deployment thereof. 
     For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the terminology “occlusion device” means and/or may be interchangeable with terminology such as, without limitation, “device” or “occlusion device system” or “occlusion system” or “system” or “occlusion device implant” or “implant” and the like. 
     Occlusion device delivery systems are well known and readily available in the art. For example, such delivery technologies may be found, without limitation, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,602; 5,067,489; 6,833,003; 2006/0167494; and 2007/0288083; each of the teachings of which are incorporated herein. For the purposes of the present invention, any type of occlusion device delivery means and/or delivery system and/or delivery technology and/or delivery mechanism and/or detachment (and/or attachment) means and/or detachment system and/or detachment technology and/or detachment mechanism may be utilized and/or modified in such a manner as to make it compatible (so as to correspond) with the occlusion device disclosed herein. Exemplary occlusion device delivery mechanisms and/or systems include, without limitation, guide wires, pusher wires, catheters, micro-catheters, and the like. Exemplary occlusion device detachment mechanisms include, without limitation, fluid pressure, electrolytic mechanisms, hydraulic mechanisms, interlocking mechanisms, and the like. In one embodiment, the occlusion device disclosed herein is used in a method of electrolytic detachment. Electrolytic detachment is well known in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,122,136; 5,423,829; 5,624,449; 5,891,128; 6,123,714; 6,589,230; and 6,620,152. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the occlusion device disclosed herein are depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . 
       FIG.  1    shows an exemplary embodiment of an occlusion device as disclosed herein for promoting more effective endothelialization around the device. The occlusion device disclosed herein is configured of resilient mesh capable of expansion to effectively line (or coat) the inside of the LAA pouch thereby occluding the LAA through promoting endothelialization around the device. The occlusion device herein comprises a resilient mesh  20  body comprised of a circumferentially folded over single layer of mesh to create a dual layer of mesh. Such a  20  body extends distally from the  40  marker band and has a lengthy. The ends of the dual layer of mesh are attached within the  40  marker band. In one embodiment, the ends of the mesh are attached at the  90  proximal end of the  40  marker band and the  20  body extends distally. In another embodiment, the ends of the mesh are attached at the  100  distal end and the  20  body extends distally. The  20  body comprises within it a  30  bolus (additional mesh mass) of resilient mesh material of length x. In such an exemplary configuration of the occlusion device disclosed and illustrated herein, y is greater than x. Even in the expanded or deployed shape of the device, the  20  body maintains a low profile shape with respect to the LAA  50  pouch and inside which the  20  body of the device resides (and lines the LAA tissue  70  walls) upon deployment. As is accepted in the art, the x and y measurements in length of such an occlusion device are measured in free air. An exemplary range of the length (y) of the occlusion device  20  body is approximately 20-50 millimeters (mm) and an exemplary length (x) of the  30  bolus comprised within the  20  body is less than the value of length y. In one embodiment, the resilient mesh  20  body is attached inside/within the substantially solid  40  marker band and the  20  body extend distally from the  40  marker band. Such a configuration of the  40  marker band with respect to the  20  body confers the capability of the device to seal the  80  opening of the LAA and as such effectively occlude the LAA. 
       FIG.  2    shows an exemplary embodiment of an occlusion device as disclosed herein for treating and/or ameliorating LAA as deployed in the LAA  50  pouch. Such a configuration as illustrated in both  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    confers the capability of the device to seal the  80  opening of the LAA pouch and effectively occlude the LAA. In this embodiment, the mesh  20  body of the device lines, as in a low profile manner (lays flat against in the manner of an inverted mushroom), the LAA  70  walls. Accordingly, even in the deployed shape of the device disclosed herein and as also shown in  FIG.  2   , distance y is greater than distance x. In one embodiment, a size 12F catheter or smaller is used for deployment of the device disclosed herein. In another embodiment, electrolytic delivery and/or deployment and/or detachment via an electrolytic wire through the left atrial space adjacent to the LAA is used for the device disclosed herein. Electrolytic detachment means and methods such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,136 are well known in the art. 
     The low profile deployed shape of the  20  body of the device provides an anchor for the occlusion device without adversely interfering with fluid flow through left atrial space. This mechanism of action allows for the mesh  20  body&#39;s dual layer, expandable in it&#39;s deployed form in the manner of an inverted mushroom, to line the inner  70  walls of the LAA  50  pouch and facilitate endothelial growth through the open mesh density created by the mesh  20  body and its  30  bolus of additional mesh within the mesh body. Endothelialization around the device and/or endothelial growth around the  20  body of the device is triggered because such a configuration maximizes shielding of blood flow into the LAA and traps any 60 clot inside. The combination of the  30  bolus of mesh within the 20/30 dual mesh layer of the body causes the device to function in the LAA as an effective shield, i.e., as an enhanced area of coverage at the cap of the implant which further reduces blood flow. Such a device also functions as a stabilizer and prevents transfer of movement or forces through the mesh during expansion. This has several advantages including, without limitation, anchoring the device, providing undisturbed fluid flow, and/or facilitating neointimal development across the  80  opening of LAA, all without requiring any additional material (mesh or otherwise) in the left atrial space. As such, there is no additional mesh material component, other than the mesh  20  body comprising the  30  bolus of additional mesh within the  20  body and extending from the  40  marker band necessary for the device to anchor or stabilize within the LAA. 
     Such a configuration facilitates sealing of the  80  opening of the LAA and therefore  60  clot formation and/or healing and/or shrinkage of the LAA  50  pouch which is particularly advantageous if the size or mass of the  60  clot is causing pain or other side effects within the patient. Such a configuration is also advantageous because it requires a minimum amount of resilient mesh material thereby eliminating the need to fill or substantially fill, in a spherical, radially expanded manner, the space in the LAA  50  pouch. Such an occlusion device is also well suited for conformability across a broad range of LAA morphologies, particularly since it is well known and generally accepted that LAAs vary considerably in size and are not perfectly round in shape. Advantageously, because an occlusion device as disclosed herein, has a minimum of or less material than the current standard devices, this minimizes the need for anti-coagulation therapy and/or lessens the risk of clot emboli formation. 
     In another embodiment of an occlusion device disclosed herein, the resilient mesh  20  body of resilient mesh comprises a relatively uniform distribution of wire mesh strands or braids such as, without limitation, a  72  nitinol (NiTi) wire mesh strand braided configuration. In other embodiments, the occlusion device comprises wire mesh strands or braids that range from 36 to 144 NiTi strand braided configuration. 
     In another embodiment of an occlusion device disclosed herein, the  30  bolus of additional resilient mesh housed within the  20  body, comprises a relatively uniform distribution of wire mesh strands or braids such as, without limitation, a 72 nitinol (NiTi) wire mesh strand braided configuration. In other embodiments, the  30  bolus of the occlusion device comprises wire mesh strands or braids that range from 36 to 144 NiTi strand braided configuration. In one embodiment, the resilient mesh of the  20  body of the device is comprised of dissimilar metal(s) compared to the metal(s) within the additional resilient mesh of the  30  bolus within the  20  body. 
     In another embodiment, the mesh density of the inner  30  bolus is a double layer of mesh and is greater (or higher) than the mesh density of its  20  body&#39;s outer double layer of mesh. 
     An occlusion device disclosed herein is configured with resilient mesh material of a mesh density sufficient for functioning in such a manner as an endothelial cell scaffold within a vessel or across the  80  opening of the LAA and thereby reducing blood flow by about 60% to trigger clot formation and/or healing of the LAA. For the purposes of the present invention, the terminology “mesh density” means the level of porosity or the ratio of metal to open area of the mesh device. Mesh density relates to the number and size of the openings or pores of the mesh and by the extent that the pores are open or closed in situations where opening or pore openness varies between delivery and deployment. Generally, a high mesh density region of a resilient mesh material has approximately about 70% or more metal area and about 60% or less open area. 
     In one embodiment, the resilient mesh  20  body has an “open mesh density” for enhanced tissue integration and/or stabilization of the occlusion device. Open mesh density is greater than about 40% open area in the mesh. Open mesh density is known to have a low number, usually between about 40 and 80, picks per inch (PPI) to represent the porosity of the mesh layers. PPI is the number of repeat cross overs of braiding material in a linear inch. A high number of repeats (or PPI), usually between about 100 and 180, is an indicator that the mesh is dense. A lower number of repeats (or PPI) is an indicator that the mesh is porous (open). In an additional embodiment, the resilient mesh  20  body is constructed from a super elastic material, such as, without limitation, nitinol. In yet another embodiment, the resilient mesh  20  body is constructed from DFT platinum core nitinol. In other embodiments, when the  20  body mesh is constructed of nitinol, the  30  bolus within that  20  body mesh is constructed of DFT platinum core nitinol. In yet other embodiments, when the  20  body is constructed of DFT platinum core nitinol, the  30  bolus within that  20  body mesh is constructed of nitinol. DFT platinum core nitinol is used for enhancing visualization of the device during deployment and implantation. 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    also show the position of the  40  marker band, having a  90  proximal end and a  100  distal end, on an occlusion device of the present invention. The  40  marker is attached to the  20  body of the occlusion device and the body extends from the  100  distal end of the  40  marker band. In  FIG.  2   , the  90  proximal end of the  20  marker band is shown resting across, in the manner of a bridge, the  80  opening of the LAA to be treated, which, when combined with the properties of the low profile  14  resilient mesh  20  body comprising a  30  bolus of additional mesh, creates an open mesh density effect thereby promoting more effective endothelialization around the device. Other advantages include eliminating the need for incorporating additional mesh material extending proximally from the marker band in order to seal the  80  opening of the LAA or to anchor the device in the left atrial space. In addition, positioning the  90  proximal end of the  40  marker band to rest across the  80  opening of the LAA advantageously provides for full retrievability of the device. 
     In one embodiment of the device disclosed herein, a coil-wound core wire (or guide wire) of the catheter (or micro-catheter) is attached inside the  40  marker band at its  90  distal end to the ends of the  20  body of a dual layer of mesh. The coil wind maintains a constant diameter (ϕ) so as not to impact upon flexibility or stiffness of the delivery catheter or micro-catheter or guide wire. In certain embodiments, FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) heat shrink tubing encases the coil-wound portion of the core wire. Numerous readily available and well known attachment techniques in the medical device arts can be used to attach the distal end of the core wire inside the  40  marker band and/or to the occlusion device or implant. Such known techniques are also used to attach the ends of the resilient mesh  20  body to and/or inside/within the  40  marker band. Such attachment techniques include, without limitation, adhesives, laser melting, laser tack, spot, and/or continuous welding. In one embodiment, an adhesive is used to attach the distal end of the core wire inside the  40  marker band. In another embodiment, an adhesive is used to attach the ends of the resilient mesh  20  body to and/or inside/within the  40  marker band. In a further embodiment, the adhesive is an epoxy material which is cured or hardened through the application of heat or UV (ultra-violet) radiation. In an even further embodiment, the epoxy is a thermal cured, two-part epoxy such as EPO-TEK® 353ND-4 available from Epoxy Technology, Inc., 14 Fortune Drive, Billerica, Mass. In an additional embodiment, such an adhesive or epoxy material encapsulates the junction of the core wire inside the  40  marker band and increases its mechanical stability. 
     In another embodiment, during and/or after deployment of the device, the coil-wound core wire detaches the device disclosed herein at an electrolytic detachment site (or zone) on the core wire itself in such a manner so that the core wire is severed and/or dissolved through electrolytic action at the base of the  40  marker band. Such action then releases and/or places the occlusion device into an LAA to be treated. 
     In one embodiment, the  40  marker band of the occlusion device disclosed herein is a substantially solid collar or rigid member such as, without limitation a solid ring comprised of materials such as, without limitation, gold, platinum, stainless steel, and/or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, radiopaque materials such as, without limitation, gold, platinum, platinum/iridium alloy, and/or combinations thereof, can be used. Such a  40  marker provides visualization of the device during delivery and placement. The solidness of the  40  marker helps confer stability of the device within the LAA and prevents movement or the transfer of forces through the resilient mesh of the device thereby preventing misplacement or accidental movement of the device. The  40  marker is also configured with a junction (the core wire attachment inside the  40  marker band) to cooperate and release from/attach to a corresponding delivery means such as, without limitation, a delivery catheter or guide wire and/or pusher wire technologies. It also advantageously provides for full retrievability of the device disclosed herein. 
     In another embodiment, the substantially solid  40  marker band comprises a radiopaque material (such as for example, without limitation, platinum, gold, platinum/iridium alloy, and/or combinations thereof) to facilitate visualization of the occlusion device under fluoroscopy during delivery, placement and/or deployment. The  40  marker comprises a  90  proximal end and a  100  distal end. Each 20 arm of resilient mesh is attached to the  40  marker band and extends from the  100  distal end of the  40  marker band. In one embodiment, the  40  marker band may be configured to influence shape, diameter, and/or curvature of the resilient mesh  20  body upon expansion of the occlusion device. The  40  marker may be designed in various shapes to influence the overall profile of the occlusion device to ensure a proper fit of the expanded/deployed occlusion device within the LAA  50  pouch. 
     In some embodiments of the occlusion device disclosed herein, the  40  marker band is a rigid member such as a ring, collar (such as, e.g., a crushed or flattened collar), band, or suture (such as e.g., a polymeric suture). Such a “substantially solid” or “rigid member” functions as a pinch point for gathering the ends of the  20  body of the device. In a further embodiment, the  40  marker band is reinforced and therefore mesh of the device traverses the  40  marker band to provide a continuous profile on the inner surface from the LAA  80  opening to the LAA  50  pouch. Such a reinforced  40  marker band comprises materials including, without limitation, plastically deformable and shape-memory resilient mesh material, wire braided mesh material (including various mesh braiding configurations such as, without limitation, 2 strands over—1 strand under, 1 strand under—1 strand over, 1 strand over—2 strands under, etc.), laser cut mesh material, and/or a combination thereof. 
     The substantially solid  40  marker band facilities delivery and positioning of the occlusion device adjacent the  80  opening of LAA by providing a rigid member to maneuver into the neck. Additionally, in some embodiments, the substantially solid  40  marker band provides visibility under fluoroscopy, thereby allowing more accurate visualization and exacting placement of the device. 
     In certain embodiments, the resilient mesh of the occlusion device disclosed herein can be filled with an embolic material such as, without limitation, liquid agents and/or particulates to promote clotting and closure of the LAA. Examples of liquid agents and particulates include, without limitation, gelatin foam, polyvinyl alcohol particles, tris-acryl gelatin microspheres, N-butyl-2-cynoacrylate, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, calcium alginate gel, absolute alcohol, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, the occlusion device disclosed herein may further incorporate and/or be used with adjunctive elements and/or members well known in the art such as coiling techniques, framing coils, embolic agents, additional markers, polymers, resorbent polymers and/or a combination thereof. 
     Resilient mesh materials for design and/or manufacture of occlusion devices are readily available and well known by those skilled in the relevant art. As such, resilient mesh materials range from a wide variety of available materials such as, without limitation, nickel titanium (nitinol or otherwise known as NiTi), stainless steel, polymers, and/or combinations thereof. Exemplary known biomedical polymeric families include, without limitation, polymers such as polyphosphazenes, polyanhydrides, polyacetals, poly(ortho esters), polyphosphoesters, polycaprolactones, polyurethanes, polylactides, polycarbonates, polyamides, and/or a combination thereof. (See, e.g., J Polym Sci B Polym Phys. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 June 15.) 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the resilient mesh material is formed of woven strands of polymer material, such as, without limitation, nylon, polypropylene or polyester. The polymer strands can be filled with a radiopaque material which allows the physician treating the aneurysm to fluoroscopically visualize the location of the device within the vasculature. Radiopaque filler materials preferably include bismuth trioxide, tungsten, titanium dioxide or barium sulfate, or radiopaque dyes such as iodine. The resilient mesh material can be formed by strands of radiopaque material. The radiopaque strands allow the physician and/or radiologist to fluoroscopically visualize the location of the mesh, without the use of filled polymer materials. Such radiopaque strands may be formed with materials such as, without limitation, gold, platinum, a platinum/iridium alloy, and/or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the resilient mesh material is constructed of 10%-20% platinum core NiTi. In another embodiment, the resilient mesh material is constructed of 10% platinum core NiTi, 15% platinum core NiTi, or 20% platinum core NiTi. 10% platinum core NiTi construction is sufficient to provide a ghost image of the occlusion device under x-ray. 
     Such constructed combination wires or composite wires having a radiopaque core and non-radiopaque outer layer or casing are readily available and well known in the medical device and metallic arts as DFT® (drawn-filled-tube) wires, cables or ribbons. DFT® wire is a metal-to-metal composite constructed to combine the desired physical and mechanical attributes of two or more materials into a single wire. By placing the more radiopaque, but more ductile material in the core of the wire, the NiTi outer layer is able to provide the resulting composite wire with similar mechanical properties of a 100% NiTi wire. DFT® wires are available from Fort Wayne Metals Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., U.S.A. See also, for example, the journal article entitled Biocompatible Wire by Schaffer in Advanced Materials &amp; Processes, October 2002, pages 51-54, incorporated herein by reference. 
     Where the resilient mesh material is formed of radiopaque metal strands, the strands may be covered with a polymer coating or extrusion. The coating or extrusion over the radiopaque wire strands provides fluoroscopic visualization but also increases the resistance of the strands to bending fatigue and may also increase lubricity of the strands. The polymer coating or extrusion, in one embodiment, is coated or treated with an agent which tends to resist clotting, such as heparin. Such clot resistant coatings are generally known. The polymer coating or extrusion can be any suitable extrudable polymer, or any polymer that can be applied in a thin coating, such as Teflon® or polyurethane. 
     In yet another embodiment, the strands of the resilient mesh material are formed using both metal and polymer braided strands. Combining the metal strands with the polymer strands into a braid changes the flexibility characteristics of mesh. The force required to deploy and/or collapse such a mesh portion is significantly reduced over that required for a mesh portion that includes only metal mesh strands. However, the radiopaque characteristics of the mesh for fluoroscopic visualization are retained. Metal strands forming such a device includes, without limitation, stainless steel, gold, platinum, platinum/iridium, nitinol, and/or combinations thereof. Polymer strands forming the device can include nylon, polypropylene, polyester, Teflon®, and/or combinations thereof. Further, polymer strands of the mesh material can be chemically modified to make them radiopaque with known techniques such as, without limitation, by using gold deposition onto the polymer strands, or by using ion beam plasma deposition of suitable metal ions onto the polymer strands. 
     The resilient mesh material can also be formed with filaments or strands of varying diameter and/or varying flexibility. By varying the size or flexibility of the polymer strands, the flexibility characteristics of the mesh, upon deployment, can also be varied. By varying the flexibility characteristics, both the deployed and collapsed configuration of the resilient mesh  20  body can be varied or changed to substantially any desired shape. 
     Not only can the mesh be formed of both polymer strands or filaments and metal strands or filaments, but it can also be formed using filaments of different polymer materials. For example, different polymer materials having different flexibility characteristics can be used in forming the mesh. This alters the flexibility characteristics of the device to change the resultant configuration of the mesh  20  body in both the deployed and the collapsed positions. Such biomedical polymers are readily known and available in the art and can be derived from polymeric families such as, without limitation, polyphosphazenes, polyanhydrides, polyacetals, poly (ortho esters), polyphosphoesters, polycaprolactones, polyurethanes, polylactides, polycarbonates, polyamides, and/or a combination thereof. 
     Resilient mesh materials suitable for use within the device may take the form of a flat woven sheet, knitted sheet, or a laser cut wire mesh. In general, the material should include two or more sets of substantially parallel strands, with one set of parallel strands being at a pitch of between 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the other set of parallel strands. In some embodiments, the two sets of parallel strands forming the mesh material are substantially perpendicular to each other. The pitch and general construction of the mesh material may be optimized to meet the performance needs of the occlusion device. 
     The wire strands of the metal fabric used in the present invention should be formed of a material which is both resilient and can be heat-treated to substantially set a desired shape. Materials which are believed to be suitable for this purpose include a cobalt-based low thermal expansion alloy referred to in the field of occlusion devices as Elgiloy® (available from Eligiloy Specialty Metals, Elgin, Ill.), nickel-based high-temperature high-strength “superalloys” commercially available from Haynes International under the trade name Hastelloy®, nickel-based heat treatable alloys sold under the name Incoloy® by International Nickel, and a number of different grades of stainless steel. The important factor in choosing a suitable material for the wires is that the wires retain a suitable amount of the deformation induced by the molding surface (or shape memory, as described below) when subjected to a predetermined heat treatment. 
     One class of materials which meet these qualifications are so-called shape memory alloys. Such alloys tend to have a temperature induced phase change which will cause the material to have a preferred configuration which can be fixed by heating the material above a certain transition temperature to induce a change in the phase of the material. When the alloy is cooled, the alloy will “remember” the shape it was in during the heat treatment and will tend to assume that same and/or similar configuration unless constrained from doing so. 
     One particular shape memory alloy for use in the present invention is nitinol, an approximately stoichiometric alloy of nickel and titanium, which may also include other minor amounts of other metals to achieve desired properties. NiTi alloys such as nitinol, including appropriate compositions and handling requirements, are well known in the art and such alloys need not be discussed in detail here. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,489 and 4,991,602, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, discuss the use of shape memory NiTi alloys in guide wire-based technologies. Such NiTi alloys are preferred, at least in part, because they are commercially available and more is known about handling such alloys than other known shape memory alloys. NiTi alloys are also very elastic. Indeed, they are said to be known as “superelastic” or “pseudoelastic.” This elasticity will help an occlusion device as disclosed herein to return to prior expanded configuration for deployment thereof. 
     The wire strands can comprise a standard monofilament of the selected material, i.e., a standard wire stock may be used. In some embodiments, 72 wire strands and/or 72 strand braid configuration may be used. In other embodiments, the occlusion device comprises wire mesh strands or braids that range from 36 to 144 NiTi strand braided configurations. If so desired, though, the individual wire strands may be formed from “cables” made up of a plurality of individual wires. For example, cables formed of metal wires where several wires are helically wrapped about a central wire are commercially available and NiTi cables having an outer diameter of 0.003 inches or less can be purchased. One advantage of certain cables is that they tend to be “softer” than the monofilament wires having the same diameter and formed of same material. Additionally, the use of a cable can increase the effective surface area of the wire strand, which will tend to promote thrombosis. 
     In some embodiments, the resilient mesh may be formed uniformly of the same material; however such material may have different knitted, stitched, braided, and/or cut construction. 
     In other embodiments, the occlusion device disclosed herein can be used, when scaled accordingly, in endovascular techniques such as for the treatment and/or ameliorization of aneurysms, particularly large and irregular sized aneurysms, and to promote more effective endothelialization around the device. In this regard, reference is made to commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/699,188; which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the occlusion device disclosed herein can be used, when scaled accordingly, in the process of peripheral vascular embolization (a process well known in the art and known to involve the shutdown of blood flow distal to a specified vascular point), for example, in the treatment and/or amelioration of peripheral arterial or venous pathologies and/or any related pathologies requiring vessel occlusion for the treatment thereof. 
     The occlusion device of the present invention may incorporate reasonable design parameters, features, modifications, advantages, and variations that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art in the field of occlusion devices.