US Patent 8936616 Expandable plugs and related delivery apparatuses and methods

The present invention provides, in certain aspects, devices and methods for plugging passageways and other open spaces in the body. In one embodiment, a plugging assembly comprises a first plug member and a second plug member, wherein the second plug member is configured to contact and move a portion of the first plug member in plugging a body passageway. These plug members may be formed with one or more of a variety of biocompatible materials including some that are naturally derived and some that are non-naturally derived. In another embodiment, such a plugging assembly is combined with a device that is suitable for delivering the assembly into a body passageway.