Asymmetric vascular stent: feasibility study of a new low-porosity patch-containing stent

A review of technological innovations leading to modern endovascular brain aneurysm treatment

Tools and techniques utilized in endovascular brain aneurysm treatment have undergone rapid evolution in recent decades. These technique and device-level innovations have allowed for treatment of highly complex intracranial aneurysms and improved patient outcomes. We review the major innovations within neurointervention that have led to the current state of brain aneurysm treatment.

Lumen-oriented versus wall-oriented treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms - A systematic review of suggested therapeutic concepts

The development of new treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms (IAs) has been and continues to be a major interest in neurovascular research. Initial treatment concepts were mainly based on a physical-mechanistic disease understanding for IA occlusion (lumen-oriented therapies). However, a growing body of literature indicates the important role of aneurysm wall biology (wall-oriented therapies) for complete IA obliteration. This systematic literature review identified studies that explored endovascular treatment strategies for aneurysm treatment in a preclinical setting. Of 5278 publications screened, 641 studies were included, categorized, and screened for eventual translation in a clinical trial. Lumen-oriented strategies included (1) enhanced intraluminal thrombus organization, (2) enhanced intraluminal packing, (3) bridging of the intraluminal space, and (4) other, alternative concepts. Wall-oriented strategies included (1) stimulation of proliferative response, (2) prevention of aneurysm wall cell injury, (3) inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, and (4) inhibition of extracellular matrix degradation. Overall, lumen-oriented strategies numerically still dominate over wall-oriented strategies. Among the plethora of suggested preclinical treatment strategies, only a small minority were translated into clinically applicable concepts (36 of 400 lumen-oriented and 6 of 241 wall-oriented). This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview that may provide a starting point for the development of new treatment strategies.

The Aneurysm Occlusion Assistant, an AI platform for real time surgical guidance of intracranial aneurysms

Purpose

In recent years, endovascular treatment has become the dominant approach to treat intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Despite tremendous improvement in surgical devices and techniques, 10-30% of these surgeries require retreatment. Previously, we developed a method which combines quantitative angiography with data-driven modeling to predict aneurysm occlusion within a fraction of a second. This is the first report on a semi-autonomous system, which can predict the surgical outcome of an IA immediately following device placement, allowing for therapy adjustment. Additionally, we previously reported various algorithms which can segment IAs, extract hemodynamic parameters via angiographic parametric imaging, and perform occlusion predictions.

Methods

We integrated these features into an Aneurysm Occlusion Assistant (AnOA) utilizing the Kivy library's graphical instructions and unique language properties for interface development, while the machine learning algorithms were entirely developed within Keras, Tensorflow and skLearn. The interface requires pre- and post-device placement angiographic data. The next steps for aneurysm segmentation, angiographic analysis and prediction have been integrated allowing either autonomous or interactive use.

Results

The interface allows for segmentation of IAs and cranial vasculature with a dice index of ~0.78 and prediction of aneurysm occlusion at six months with an accuracy 0.84, in 6.88 seconds.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the AnOA to guide endovascular treatment of IAs. While this initial report is on a stand-alone platform, the software can be integrated in the angiographic suite allowing direct communication with the angiographic system for a completely autonomous surgical guidance solution.

Introduction: History and Development of Flow Diverter Technology and Evolution

The introduction of flow diverter technology to the field of neurointervention has revolutionized the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The therapy approach has shifted from intrasaccular aneurysm treatment to exclusion of the aneurysm from the blood circulation with remodeling of the parent artery. Previously, “difficult”-to-treat aneurysms including fusiform and blister aneurysms, but also aneurysms arising from a diseased vessel segment, can now be safely and permanently treated with flow diverters.

 A little over a decade ago, after extensive bench testing and refinement of the flow diverter concept, the device was eventually available for clinical use and today it has become a standard treatment for intracranial aneurysms. Currently, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved flow diverters are the Pipeline Embolization Device (Medtronic) and the Surpass Streamline Flow Diverter (Stryker).

 The devices can either be delivered or deployed via a standard femoral artery approach or a radial artery approach. Other considerations for catheter setup and device deployment strategies depending on aneurysm location or vessel anatomy are described.

Feasibility study for use of angiographic parametric imaging and deep neural networks for intracranial aneurysm occlusion prediction

Background

Angiographic parametric imaging (API), based on digital subtraction angiography (DSA), is a quantitative imaging tool that may be used to extract contrast flow parameters related to hemodynamic conditions in abnormal pathologies such as intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of using deep neural networks (DNNs) and API to predict IA occlusion using pre- and post-intervention DSAs.

Methods

We analyzed DSA images of IAs pre- and post-treatment to extract API parameters in the IA dome and the corresponding main artery (un-normalized data). We implemented a two-step correction to account for injection variability (normalized data) and projection foreshortening (relative data). A DNN was trained to predict a binary IA occlusion outcome: occluded/unoccluded. Network performance was assessed with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and classification accuracy. To evaluate the effect of the proposed corrections, prediction accuracy analysis was performed after each normalization step.

Results

The study included 190 IAs. The mean and median duration between treatment and follow-up was 9.8 and 8.0 months, respectively. For the un-normalized, normalized, and relative subgroups, the DNN average prediction accuracies for IA occlusion were 62.5% (95% CI 60.5% to 64.4%), 70.8% (95% CI 68.2% to 73.4%), and 77.9% (95% CI 76.2% to 79.6%). The average AUROCs for the same subgroups were 0.48 (0.44–0.52), 0.67 (0.61–0.73), and 0.77 (0.74–0.80).

Conclusions

The study demonstrated the feasibility of using API and DNNs to predict IA occlusion using only pre- and post-intervention angiographic information.

The Effect of Stents in Cerebral Aneurysms: A Review

The etiology of up to 95% of cerebral aneurysms may be accounted for by hemodynamically-induced factors that create vascular injury. The purpose of this review is to describe key physical properties that stents have and how they affect cerebral aneurysms. We performed a two-step screening process. First, a structured search was performed using the PubMed database. The following search terms and keywords were used: “Hemodynamics,” “wall shear stress (WSS),” “velocity,” “viscosity,” “cerebral aneurysm,” “intracranial aneurysm,” “stent,” “flow diverter,” “stent porosity,” “stent geometry,” “stent configuration,” and “stent design.” Reports were considered if they included original data, discussed hemodynamic changes after stent-based treatment of cerebral aneurysms, examined the hemodynamic effects of stent deployment, and/or described the geometric characteristics of both stents and the aneurysms they were used to treat. The search strategy yielded a total of 122 articles, 61 were excluded after screening the titles and abstracts. Additional articles were then identified by cross-checking reference lists. The final collection of 97 articles demonstrates that the geometric characteristics and configurations of deployed stents influenced hemodynamic parameters such as aneurysmal WSS, inflow, and pressure. The geometric characteristics of the aneurysm and its position also had significant influences on intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics after treatment. In conclusion, changes in specific aneurysmal hemodynamic parameters that result from stenting relate to a number of factors including the geometric properties and configurations of deployed stents, the geometric properties of the aneurysm, and the pretreatment hemodynamics.

Angiographic analysis for phantom simulations of endovascular aneurysm treatments with a new fully retrievable asymmetric flow diverter

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is the main diagnostic tool for intracranial aneurysms (IA) flow-diverter (FD) assisted treatment. Based on qualitative contrast flow evaluation, interventionists decide on subsequent steps. We developed a novel fully Retrievable Asymmetric Flow-Diverter (RAFD) which allows controlled deployment, repositioning and detachment achieve optimal flow diversion. The device has a small low porosity or solid region which is placed such that it would achieve maximum aneurysmal in-jet flow deflection with minimum impairment to adjacent vessels. We tested the new RAFD using a flow-loop with an idealized and a patient specific IA phantom in carotid-relevant physiological conditions. We positioned the deflection region at three locations: distally, center and proximally to the aneurysm orifice and analyzed aneurysm dome flow using DSA derived maps for mean transit time (MTT) and bolus arrival times (BAT). Comparison between treated and untreated (control) maps quantified the RAFD positioning effect. Average MTT, related to contrast presence in the aneurysm dome increased, indicating flow decoupling between the aneurysm and parent artery. Maximum effect was observed in the center and proximal position (~75%) of aneurysm models depending on their geometry. BAT maps, correlated well with inflow jet direction and magnitude. Reduction and jet dispersion as high as about 50% was observed for various treatments. We demonstrated the use of DSA data to guide the placement of the RAFD and showed that optimum flow diversion within the aneurysm dome is feasible. This could lead to more effective and a safer IA treatment using FDs.

Optimization of strut placement in flow diverter stents for four different aneurysm configurations

A modern technique for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms involves insertion of a flow diverter stent. Flow stagnation, produced by the fine mesh structure of the diverter, is thought to promote blood clotting in an aneurysm. However, apart from its effect on flow reduction, the insertion of the metal device poses the risk of occlusion of a parent artery. One strategy for avoiding the risk of arterial occlusion is the use of a device with a higher porosity. To aid the development of optimal stents in the view point of flow reduction maintaining a high porosity, we used lattice Boltzmann flow simulations and simulated annealing optimization to investigate the optimal placement of stent struts. We constructed four idealized aneurysm geometries that resulted in four different inflow characteristics and employed a stent model with 36 unconnected struts corresponding to the porosity of 80%. Assuming intracranial flow, steady flow simulation with Reynolds number of 200 was applied for each aneurysm. Optimization of strut position was performed to minimize the average velocity in an aneurysm while maintaining the porosity. As the results of optimization, we obtained nonuniformed structure as optimized stent for each aneurysm geometry. And all optimized stents were characterized by denser struts in the inflow area. The variety of inflow patterns that resulted from differing aneurysm geometries led to unique strut placements for each aneurysm type.

A Fourier-based approach to the angiographic assessment of flow diverter efficacy in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms

Flow diversion is an emerging endovascular treatment option for cerebral aneurysms. Quantitative assessment of hemodynamic changes induced by flow diversion can aid clinical decision making in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. In this article, besides summarizing past key research efforts, we propose a novel metric for the angiographic assessment of flow diverter deployments in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. By analyzing the frequency spectra of signals derived from digital subtraction angiography (DSA) series, the metric aims to quantify the prevalence of frequency components that correspond to the patient-specific heart rate. Indicating the decoupling of aneurysms from healthy blood circulation, our proposed metric could advance clinical guidelines for treatment success prediction. The very promising results of a retrospective feasibility study on 26 DSA series warrant future efforts to study the validity of the proposed metric within a clinical setting.

Effect of injection technique on temporal parametric imaging derived from digital subtraction angiography in patient specific phantoms

Parametric imaging maps (PIM's) derived from digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the cerebral arterial flow assessment in clinical settings have been proposed, but experiments have yet to determine the reliability of such studies. For this study, we have observed the effects of different injection techniques on PIM's. A flow circuit set to physiologic conditions was created using an internal carotid artery phantom. PIM's were derived for two catheter positions, two different contrast bolus injection volumes (5ml and 10 ml), and four injection rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/s). Using a gamma variate fitting approach, we derived PIM's for mean-transit-time (MTT), time-to-peak (TTP) and bolus-arrivaltime (BAT). For the same injection rates, a larger bolus resulted in an increased MTT and TTP, while a faster injection rate resulted in a shorter MTT, TTP, and BAT. In addition, the position of the catheter tip within the vasculature directly affected the PIM. The experiment showed that the PIM is strongly correlated with the injection conditions, and, therefore, they have to be interpreted with caution. PIM images must be taken from the same patient to be able to be meaningfully compared. These comparisons can include pre- and post-treatment images taken immediately before and after an interventional procedure or simultaneous arterial flow comparisons through the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Due to the strong correlation between PIM and injection conditions, this study indicates that this assessment method should be used only to compare flow changes before and after treatment within the same patient using the same injection conditions.

Flow diverters can occlude aneurysms and preserve arterial branches: a new experimental model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

FDs are new intracranial stents designed to occlude aneurysms while preserving flow to jailed arterial branches. We tested this fundamental principle in a new aneurysm model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Canine lateral wall aneurysms, featuring a branch located immediately opposite the aneurysm, were created in 16 animals to study the effects on aneurysm or branch occlusion using single HP stents (n = 4), 2 overlapping HP stents (n = 4), or an FD (n = 8). Two other animals, in which an efferent arterial branch was anastomosed to the aneurysm fundus, were also treated with FDs. Angiographic results after deployment, at 2 weeks, and at 3 months were scored using an ordinal scale. The metal porosity of the FSS and the amount of FSS neointima formation was determined by postmortem photography.

RESULTS

FDs led to better angiographic occlusion scores compared with HP stents (P = .026). FDs were significantly more likely to occlude the aneurysm than the branch (P = .01). When the branch was switched to originate from the aneurysm fundus, the FDs became ineffective (0/2). Neointimal closure of the aneurysm ostium was significantly better with FDs than with single or double HP stents (P = .039). Angiographic occlusion correlated with metallic porosity and neointimal tissue coverage (Spearman ρ = -0.81; P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, flow diverters occluded lateral wall aneurysms more readily than branches. Metal device porosity strongly influenced the occlusion rate.

Investigation of metrics to assess vascular flow modifications for diverter device designs using hydrodynamics and angiographic studies

Intracranial aneurysm treatment with flow diverters (FD) is a new minimally invasive approach, recently approved for use in human patients. Attempts to correlate the flow reduction observed in angiograms with a parameter related to the FD structure have not been totally successful. To find the proper parameter, we investigated four porous-media flow models. The models describing the relation between the pressure drop and flow velocity that are investigated include the capillary theory linear model (CTLM), the drag force linear model (DFLM), the simple quadratic model (SQM) and the modified quadratic model (MQM). Proportionality parameters are referred to as permeability for the linear models and resistance for the quadratic ones. A two stage experiment was performed. First, we verified flow model validity by placing six different stainless-steel meshes, resembling FD structures, in known flow conditions. The best flow model was used for the second stage, where six different FD's were inserted in aneurysm phantoms and flow modification was estimated using angiographically derived time density curves (TDC). Finally, TDC peak variation was compared with the FD parameter. Model validity experiments indicated errors of: 70% for the linear models, 26% for the SQM and 7% for the MQM. The resistance calculated according to the MQM model correlated well with the contrast flow reduction. Results indicate that resistance calculated according to MQM is appropriate to characterize the FD and could explain the flow modification observed in angiograms.

Effects of metal coverage rate of flow diversion device on neointimal growth at side branch ostium and stented artery: an animal experiment in rabbit abdominal aorta

INTRODUCTION

To access the effect of actual metal coverage rate (MCR) on neointimal growth at covered side branch ostium and stented artery after implantation of a flow diversion device.

METHODS

Flow diverters (FDs) were implanted into abdominal aortas of 20 New Zealand rabbits. Four weeks and three months after FD implantation, the patency of side branches covered by the devices was assessed by angiography. The animals were sacrificed after angiography at 3 months postsurgery. The local actual MCR was measured under microscope and calculated. The extent of neointimal coverage at the ostia of branches and the neointima within the stent were examined by histology and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

No side branch occlusion was noted, either immediately after implantation or at follow-ups. At 3 months after implantation, the intimal coverage of branch ostia caused by a 30-40% MCR was not significantly different from that caused by an MCR ≤ 30% (p = 0.792), but it was significantly lower than that caused by an MCR ≥ 40% (p = 0.021). Neointimal thickness in the stented abdominal aorta was positively correlated to MCR (r = 0.523, p = 0.001). The neointima was composed predominantly of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers.

CONCLUSION

The actual MCR exhibited remarkable differences once FD was implanted in vivo. Significantly more intimal coverage at the side branch ostia could be induced when MCR was ≥40%. The neointimal thickness within the stent was positively correlated to device MCR.

Estimation of aneurysm wall stresses created by treatment with a shape memory polymer foam device

In this study, compliant latex thin-walled aneurysm models are fabricated to investigate the effects of expansion of shape memory polymer foam. A simplified cylindrical model is selected for the in-vitro aneurysm, which is a simplification of a real, saccular aneurysm. The studies are performed by crimping shape memory polymer foams, originally 6 and 8 mm in diameter, and monitoring the resulting deformation when deployed into 4-mm-diameter thin-walled latex tubes. The deformations of the latex tubes are used as inputs to physical, analytical, and computational models to estimate the circumferential stresses. Using the results of the stress analysis in the latex aneurysm model, a computational model of the human aneurysm is developed by changing the geometry and material properties. The model is then used to predict the stresses that would develop in a human aneurysm. The experimental, simulation, and analytical results suggest that shape memory polymer foams have potential of being a safe treatment for intracranial saccular aneurysms. In particular, this work suggests oversized shape memory foams may be used to better fill the entire aneurysm cavity while generating stresses below the aneurysm wall breaking stresses.

Evaluation of a second-generation self-expanding variable-porosity flow diverter in a rabbit elastase aneurysm model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The self-expanding V-POD is a second-generation flow-diverting device with a low-porosity PTFE patch on a self-expanding microstent. The authors evaluated this device for the treatment of elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three V-POD types (A, circumferential patch closed-cell stent [n = 9]; B, asymmetric patch closed-cell stent [n = 7]; and C, asymmetric patch open-cell stent [n = 4]) were evaluated by using angiography, conebeam micro-CT, histology, and SEM. Aneurysm flow modifications were expressed in terms of immediate poststent/prestent ratios of maximum CA volume entering the aneurysm dome tracked on procedural angiograms. Flow modifications were correlated with 4 weeks' follow-up angiographic, micro-CT, histologic, and SEM results.

RESULTS

Mechanical stent-deployment difficulties in 4 aneurysms (1 type A; 3 type B) led to suboptimal results and exclusion from analysis. Of the remaining 16 aneurysms, 4-week post-treatment angiograms showed no aneurysm filling in 10 (63%), 3 (∼19%) had no filling with a small remnant neck, and 3 (∼19%) had <0.25 filling. Successfully treated aneurysms (n = 16) demonstrated an immediate poststent/prestent CA maximum volume ratio of 0.13 ± 0.18% (0.0%-0.5%). Favorable contrast-flow modification on immediate angiography after deployment correlated significantly with aneurysm occlusion on follow-up angiography, micro-CT, and histology. The occlusion percentage derived from micro-CT was 96 ± 6.8%. Histology indicated advanced healing (grade ≥3) in the aneurysm dome in 13 of 16 cases. SEM revealed 15 of 16 stents in an advanced state of endothelialization.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the feasibility and effectiveness of V-POD for aneurysm healing in a rabbit elastase model.

Angiographic imaging evaluation of patient-specific bifurcation-aneurysm phantom treatment with pre-shaped, self-expanding, flow-diverting stents: feasibility study

Aneurysm treatment using flow diversion could become the treatment of choice in the near future. While such side-wall aneurysm treatments have been studied in many publications and even implemented in selected clinical cases, bifurcation aneurysm treatment using flow diversion has not been addressed in detail. Using angiographic imaging, we evaluated treatment of such cases with several stent designs using patient-specific aneurysm phantoms. The aim is to find a way under fluoroscopic image guidance to place a low-porosity material across the aneurysm orifice while keeping the vessel blockage minimal. Three pre-shaped self-expanding stent designs were developed: the first design uses a middle-flap wing stent, the second uses a two-tapered-wing-ended stent, and the third is a slight modification of the first design in which the middle-flap is anchored tightly against the aneurysm using a standard stent. Treatment effects on flow were evaluated using high-speed angiography (30 fps) and compared with the untreated aneurysm. Contrast inflow was reduced in all the cases: 25% for Type 1, 63% for type 2 and 88% for Type 3. The first and the second stent design allowed some but substantially-reduced flow inside the aneurysm neck as indicated by the time-density curves. The third stent design eliminated almost all flow directed at the aneurysm dome, and only partial filling was observed. In the same time Type 1 and 3 delayed the inflow in the branches up to 100% compared to the untreated phantom. The results are quite promising and warrant future study.

New variable porosity flow diverter (VPOD) stent design for treatment of cerebrovascular aneurysms

Using flow diverting Stents for intracranial aneurysm repair has been an area of recent active research. While current commercial flow diverting stents rely on a dense mesh of braided coils for flow diversion, our group has been developing a method to selectively occlude the aneurysm neck, without endangering nearby perforator vessels. In this paper, we present a new method of fabricating the low porosity patch, a key element of such asymmetric vascular stents (AVS).

Delayed Cranial Nerve Palsy After Coiling of Carotid Cavernous Sinus Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

Detachable endovascular coils have become a common treatment strategy for carotid cavernous sinus aneurysms (CCAs), but previously unrecognized postprocedure complications may emerge as longer follow-up data are accumulated. In this report, the authors document the first known cases of delayed cranial neuropathy following CCA coiling in 3 patients, all of whom present at least a year postprocedure without aneurysm regrowth. The potential mechanisms underlying this syndrome are discussed as well as their implications on the selection and optimal endovascular management of CCA patients.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Three previously healthy females aged 50, 60, and 62 underwent CCA coiling at our institution and subsequently developed ipsilateral cranial nerve palsies at 56, 28, and 14 months, respectively, post-procedure. At presentation, all 3 patients had a new, recurrent area of flow in their CCA without changes in aneurysm size.

INTERVENTION

One patient declined further treatment. In the other 2 patients, a stent was placed across the aneurysm neck, and one patient underwent additional coiling. Unfortunately, all 3 patients remained symptomatic at their latest follow-up.

Conclusion

Because of the intimate anatomic environment of the cavernous sinus, neural elements within it may be particularly susceptible to persistent mass or dynamic effects exacerbated by remnant or recurrent flow across the neck of a coiled aneurysm. These 3 cases prompted the authors to advocate for more aggressive efforts to achieve and maintain CCA occlusion. Furthermore, when such efforts are unsuccessful, consideration of traditional carotid occlusion strategies with or without bypass is warranted.

Assessment of contrast flow modification in aneurysms treated with closed-cell self-deploying asymmetric vascular stents (SAVS)

The Asymmetric Vascular Stent (AVS) for intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment is an experimental device, specially designed for intra-aneurysmal blood flow diversion and thrombosis promotion. The stent has a low-porous patch to cover only the aneurysm neck while the rest of the stent is very porous to avoid blockage of adjacent branches. The latest AVS design is similar to state-of-art, closed-cell, self-expanding, neurovascular stent. The stents were used to treat sixteen rabbit-elastase aneurysm models. The treatment effect was analyzed using normalized-time-density-curves (NTDC) measured by pixel-value integration over a region-of-interest containing the aneurysm. Normalization constant was the total bolus injection determined angiographically. Based on NTDC measurement, five quantities were derived to describe the contrast flow. Two are related to the amount of contrast entering the aneurysm: NTDC peak and NTDC input slope. The other three are related to contrast presence in the aneurysmal dome: time-to-peak (TTP), wash-out-time (WOT) and mean-transit-time (MTT). Flow modification descriptions using the contrast related quantities were expressed as a pre-/post-stented NTDC parameter ratio, while the time related quantities were expressed as a post-/pre-stented ratio, so that ratios smaller than one indicate a desired effect. Thirteen aneurysms were treated successfully and achieved significant aneurysm occlusion. For these cases, the resulting average parameters were: peak-ratio=0.17±0.21; input-slope-ratio=0.19±0.24, TTP-ratio=0.17±0.21, WOT-ratio=0.58±0.73 and MTT-ratio=0.65±0.97). All the quantities revealed decreased aneurysmal flow due to blood flow diversion using the new self-expanding asymmetrical vascular stent (SAVS). Treatment outcome results and angiographic analysis indicate that the new self-deploying stent design has great potential for clinical implementation.

Partially polyurethane-covered stent for cerebral aneurysm treatment

Partially polyurethane-covered stent (PPCS) is proposed for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The PPCSs were observed to substantially modify the flow entering the aneurysm in a patient-specific aneurysm phantom (PSAP). These stents can act as flow modulators and the polyurethane (PU) membrane can provide a smooth scaffold for restoring the structural integrity of the diseased vessel. Partial coating of the stent aids in sealing only the entrance to the aneurysm while keeping the perforators around the aneurysm open and patent. Biocompatibility of the PU membrane was monitored using contact angle measurements to show that critical surface tension (CST) values remained in the thromboresistant range of 20-30 mN/m. Stent flexibility, stiffness, and pressure-diameter relationship showed no significant change after asymmetric PU film application. No delamination of the PU membrane from the stent was observed within the working strains of the stent. The flow modulating capability of the PPCS was monitored by intentionally orienting the stent to cover either the proximal or the distal regions along the neck of the PSAP. Time density curves (TDCs) compared the relative metrics of input rate, washout rate, residence time, and influx in the aneurysm before and after the stent placement.

Treatment of rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm models by flow diverters: development of quantifiable indexes of device performance using digital subtraction angiography

It has been known for more than a decade that intracranial aneurysms can be successfully treated by deploying a porous meshed tube in the parent vessel of the aneurysm. Such devices are currently called flow diverters because they promote intraneurysmal flow stasis and thrombosis by diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm sac. The objective of this study was to use angiographic data to quantify and compare the performance of flow diverters of original design in successfully occluding an experimental aneurysm model. Three different configurations of a novel flow diverter with varying porosities and pore densities were implanted in 30 rabbit elastase-induced aneurysms. Temporal variations in angiographic contrast intensity within the aneurysms were fit to a mathematical model. Optimized model parameters were supplemented by the angiographic percentage aneurysm occlusion and an angiographic measure of device flexibility to derive composite scores of performance. Angiographic quantification further suggested a parameter, which could be employed to estimate long-term aneurysm occlusion probabilities immediately after treatment. Performance scores showed that the device with a porosity of 70% and pore density of 18 pores/mm (2) performed better than devices with 65% porosity, 14 pores/mm (2), and 70% porosity, 12 pores/mm (2) with relative efficacies of 100%, 84%, and 76%, respectively. The pore density of flow diverters, rather than porosity, may thus be a critical factor modulating device efficacy. A value of the prognostic parameter of less than 30 predicted greater than 97% angiographic aneurysm occlusion over six months with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 82%.

Angiographic analysis of animal model aneurysms treated with novel polyurethane asymmetric vascular stent (P-AVS): feasibility study

Image-guided endovascular intervention (EIGI), using new flow modifying endovascular devices for intracranial aneurysm treatment is an active area of stroke research. The new polyurethane-asymmetric vascular stent (P-AVS), a vascular stent partially covered with a polyurethane-based patch, is used to cover the aneurysm neck, thus occluding flow into the aneurysm. This study involves angiographic imaging of partially covered aneurysm orifices. This particular situation could occur when the vascular geometry does not allow full aneurysm coverage. Four standard in-vivo rabbit-model aneurysms were investigated; two had stent patches placed over the distal region of the aneurysm orifice while the other two had stent patches placed over the proximal region of the aneurysm orifice. Angiographic analysis was used to evaluate aneurysm blood flow before and immediately after stenting and at four-week follow-up. The treatment results were also evaluated using histology on the aneurysm dome and electron microscopy on the aneurysm neck. Post-stenting angiographic flow analysis revealed aneurysmal flow reduction in all cases with faster flow in the distally-covered case and very slow flow and prolonged pooling for proximal-coverage. At follow-up, proximally-covered aneurysms showed full dome occlusion. The electron microscopy showed a remnant neck in both distally-placed stent cases but complete coverage in the proximally-placed stent cases. Thus, direct flow (impingement jet) removal from the aneurysm dome, as indicated by angiograms in the proximally-covered case, was sufficient to cause full aneurysm healing in four weeks; however, aneurysm healing was not complete for the distally-covered case. These results support further investigations into the treatment of aneurysms by flow-modification using partial aneurysm-orifice coverage.

An original flow diversion device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: evaluation in the rabbit elastase-induced model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The potential for successful treatment of intracranial aneurysms by flow diversion is gradually being recognized in the clinical setting; however, the devices currently available (stents) are not designed for flow diversion. We evaluate the long-term response of an appropriately designed flow diversion device in producing thrombotic occlusion of experimental aneurysms.

METHODS

Three different configurations of an original flow diversion device were implanted across thirty elastase-induced aneurysm models in rabbits. Ten animals per device configuration were followed-up for 3 weeks (n=3), 3 months (n=3), or 6 months (n=4), and tissue explanted postsacrifice was sent for histology. The temporal variation in angiographic contrast intensity within each aneurysm was fitted with a mathematical model to quantify the alteration in local hemodynamics caused by the implanted device. A predictive index, called the washout coefficient, was constructed to estimate long-term aneurysm occlusion probabilities immediately after treatment with any flow diversion device.

RESULTS

The device with a porosity of 70% and pore density of 18 pores/mm(2) performed better at occluding aneurysms than devices with 70% porosity, 12 pores/mm(2) and 65% porosity, 14 pores/mm(2). A value of the washout coefficient less than 30 predicted greater than 97% angiographic aneurysm occlusion over a period of 6 months with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

The flow diversion devices effected successful and stable aneurysm occlusion. Pore density, rather than porosity, may be the critical factor modulating efficacy of such devices.

The asymmetric vascular stent: efficacy in a rabbit aneurysm model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Development of hemodynamic modifying devices to treat intracranial aneurysms is an active area of research. The asymmetrical vascular stent (AVS), a stent containing a low-porosity patch, is such device. We evaluate AVS efficacy in an in vivo intracranial aneurysm model.

METHODS

We created 24 elastase rabbit model aneurysms: 13 treated with the AVS, 5 treated with standard coronary stents, and 6 untreated controls. Four weeks after treatment, aneurysms underwent follow-up angiography, cone-beam micro-CT, histological evaluation, and selective electron microscopy scanning.

RESULTS

Four rabbits died early in the study: 3 during AVS treatment and 1 control (secondary to intraprocedural vessel injury and an unrelated tumor, respectively). AVS-treated aneurysms exhibited very weak or no aneurysm flow immediately after treatment and no flow in all aneurysms at follow-up. Standard stent-treated aneurysms showed flow both after treatment (5/5) and at follow-up (3/5). All control aneurysms remained patent during the study. Micro-CT scans showed: 9 of 9 scanned AVS aneurysms were occluded, 6 of 9 AVS were ideally placed, and 3 of 9 low-porosity region partially covered the aneurysm neck; standard stent-treated aneurysms were 1 of 5 occluded, 2 of 5 patent, and 2 of 5 partially patent. Histology results demonstrated: for AVS-treated aneurysms, advanced thrombus organization in the (9/9); for standard stent-treated aneurysms, (1/4) no thrombus, (2/4) partially thrombosed, and (1/4) fully thrombosed; for control aneurysms (4/4), no thrombus.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of AVS shows promise as a viable new therapeutic in intracranial aneurysm treatment. These data encourage further investigation and provide substantial support to the AVS concept.

Endovascular image-guided treatment of in-vivo model aneurysms with asymmetric vascular stents (AVS): evaluation with time-density curve angiographic analysis and histology

In this study, we compare the results obtained from Time-Density Curve (TDC) analysis of angiographic imaging sequences with histological evaluation for a rabbit aneurysm model treated with standard stents and new asymmetric vascular stents (AVS) placed by image-guided endovascular deployment. AVSs are stents having a low-porosity patch region designed to cover the aneurysm neck and occlude blood flow inside. To evaluate the AVSs, rabbits with elastase-induced aneurysm models (n=20) were divided into three groups: the first (n=10) was treated with an AVS, the second (n=5) with a non-patch standard coronary stent, and third was untreated as a control (n=5). We used TDC analysis to measure how much contrast media entered the aneurysm before and after treatment. TDCs track contrast-media-density changes as a function of time over the region of interest in x-ray DSA cine-sequences. After 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and the explanted specimens were histologically evaluated. The first group showed an average reduction of contrast flow into the aneurysm of 95% after treatment with an AVS with fully developed thrombus at 28 days follow-up. The rabbits treated with standard stents showed an increase in TDC residency time after treatment and partial-thrombogenesis. The untreated control aneurysms displayed no reduction in flow and were still patent at follow-up. The quantitative TDC analysis findings were confirmed by histological evaluation suggesting that the new AVS has great potential as a definitive treatment for cerebro-vascular aneurysms and that angiographic TDC analysis can provide in-vivo verification.