Methods and systems for treating ischemia
First Claim
1. A method of treating an ischemic bed downstream of an obstruction in a patient'"'"'s cerebral arterial vasculature, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a catheter into a patient, the catheter having a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen having at least one outlet;
advancing the catheter to an obstruction in an artery in the patient'"'"'s cerebral vasculature;
passing the distal end of the catheter through the obstruction;
supplying an oxygenated medium downstream of the obstruction; and
maintaining the pressure at the location downstream of the obstruction at a pressure lower than normal for a period of time so that the ischemic bed is not exposed to full arterial pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for treating total and partial occlusions employ a perfusion conduit which is penetrated through the occlusive material. Oxygenated blood or other medium is then perfused through the conduit in a controlled manner, preferably at a controlled pressure below the arterial pressure, to maintain oxygenation and relieve ischemia in tissue distal to the occlusion. In another aspect, interventional devices, such as stents or balloon catheters, are passed through the perfusion catheter to remove obstructions. Optionally, the occlusion may be treated while perfusion is maintained, typically by introducing a thrombolytic or other agent into the occlusive material using the perfusion conduit or by employing mechanical means to remove the obstruction. Such methods are particularly suitable for treating acute stroke to prevent damage to the cerebral tissue.
69 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating an ischemic bed downstream of an obstruction in a patient'"'"'s cerebral arterial vasculature, comprising the steps of:
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introducing a catheter into a patient, the catheter having a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen having at least one outlet;
advancing the catheter to an obstruction in an artery in the patient'"'"'s cerebral vasculature;
passing the distal end of the catheter through the obstruction;
supplying an oxygenated medium downstream of the obstruction; and
maintaining the pressure at the location downstream of the obstruction at a pressure lower than normal for a period of time so that the ischemic bed is not exposed to full arterial pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. A method of accessing the cerebral vasculature, comprising the steps of:
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providing a catheter having an expandable sidewall;
introducing the catheter into the cerebral vasculature in a collapsed position;
advancing the catheter to a site in the cerebral vasculature; and
expanding the sidewall to an expanded position.
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Specification