Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig 1.
A, Schematic illustration of the polymeric coil system (above) and the delivery/detacher device (below). The coil system consists of a proximal shaft (open arrow, ink marker) attached to a hemostatic valve and a distal 65-cm-long radiopaque polymeric strand with an outer diameter of 0.018 inch (asterisk). The delivery/detacher device (total length, 270 cm) is introduced through the hemostatic valve into the inner lumen of the coil system. The delivery/detacher device consists of the microwire (arrowhead) and the heater coil attached to its distal tip (arrow). B, Fluoroscopy of an in vitro silicon aneurysm model showing the radiopaque polymeric strand (black asterisk) within the microcatheter placed in the aneurysm (microcatheter tip, open arrow) and its unfolded distal part within the aneurysm sac (white asterisk). Note the radiopaque section of the heater coil (arrow) at the distal tip of the delivery/detacher device (arrowhead) running within the coil strand. The polymeric strand can be detached at any point by advancing the radiopaque section of the heater coil at the level of the microcatheter tip and activating the thermal detachment. C, Photographic depiction of the silicon aneurysm model after introduction of the polymeric coil.
- Fig 2.
DSA of the in vitro silicon aneurysm model coiled with a calculated packing attenuation of 20%. Note the transparency of the polymeric coils (C) with persistent visualization of the superimposed vessel anatomy, which is completely obscured by standard platinum coils (A). Fluoroscopic images show the difference in radio-opacity of polymeric (D) and standard platinum coils (B).
- Fig 3.
Flat panel CT images of standard platinum coils (A and B) and polymeric coils (C and D). Note significant artifact reduction of polymeric coils compared with standard platinum coils; however, visualization of the peri-aneurysmal area is still significantly impaired.
- Fig 4.
CT scan of standard platinum coils (A and B) and polymeric coils (C and D). Note significant reduction of beam-hardening artifacts compared with standard platinum coils. In the aneurysm embolized with polymeric coils, individual coils as well as residual aneurysm lumen and neck (arrow) can be distinguished.
- Fig 5.
MR images and corresponding DSA of standard platinum coils (upper row) and polymeric coils (lower row) in vitro. Less magnetic field distortion and artifact production are seen with polymeric coils with the use of MRI. Individual coils can be distinguished in T2WI, TRUFI (true fast imaging with steady state precession), and TOF images as compared with standard coils. Note the visualization of residual flow within the aneurysm sac and the neck area in the aneurysm treated with polymeric coils in the TOF and DSA (arrows) compared with standard platinum coils at the same packing attenuation.
- Fig 6.
DSA demonstrates the anatomy of the venous patch carotid artery bifurcation model with the anastomosis of the left carotid artery proximal to the aneurysm (A and B). Posttreatment DSA (B) and 3D rotational angiography (C) show complete obliteration of the aneurysm (B). Note the persistent visibility of the right carotid artery despite superimposition by the coil mass. Note the minor effect of beam-hardening artifacts on the surrounding soft tissue on CT imaging (D). MR images demonstrate visibility of individual coil loops in the T2WI (E) and the lack of intra-aneurysmal flow in the TOF image (F).
- Fig 7.
CT images of a coiled carotid bifurcation aneurysm. Note the reduced artifact production and visibility of individual coils on the unenhanced CT scan (A and B). CTA shows complete occlusion of the aneurysm and minimal artifact production (C and D).
