Patent ID: 6949116

Claim:
An implant for occluding a passage in a circulatory system, comprising: a plurality of thin stiff members each having a proximal and a distal end; a first holder to which the distal ends of said members are attached; a second holder to which the proximal ends of said members are attached; an expansible occluding body attached to said members at a point intermediate said first and second holders, said occluding body having a distal and proximal face; wherein one or more of said plurality of members, said first holder, said second holder and said expansible occluding body is made of at least some biodegradable material; a carrier rod releasably attached to said first holder and upon which said second holder is slidably received; said plurality of members with said occluding body forming an elongated article extending along a longitudinal axis and being adapted for insertion through an intravenous delivery mechanism in an insertion condition; a driving implement on said carrier rod, said driving implement contacting said second holder and movable toward said first holder along said carrier rod; said members being attached to said first and second holders in a manner to cause said members to execute a twisting motion relative to said axis to yield a plurality of generally radially extending loops combining to form a first fixation structure adjacent said distal face of said occluding body, and a second fixation structure of generally radially extending loops adjacent said proximal face of said occluding body, said first and second fixation structures being fixed in a final occluding condition upon being driven together by said driving implement.