METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING THERAPIES INTO THE PERICARDIAL SPACE
First Claim
1. A method of accessing the pericardial space between a heart and its pericardium to deliver a pharmacologic agent to the heart, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing an infusion catheter to dispose a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening in the pericardial space;
attaching a proximal connector of the infusion catheter to an infusion pump having a reservoir containing the pharmacologic agent;
detecting an ischemic state of the heart; and
delivering the pharmacologic agent from the reservoir into the pericardial space to counter the detected ischemic state.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for transvenously accessing the pericardial space via the vascular system and atrial wall, particularly through the superior vena cava and right atrial wall, to deliver a pharmacologic agent, particularly a NO-donor drug, to the heart are disclosed. A proximal connector of an infusion catheter is coupled to an infusion pump, and a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening is disposed in the pericardial space. The implantable infusion pump is operable in conjunction with an implantable ischemia monitor to monitor the ischemic state and trigger delivery or regulate the periodic delivery of the pharmacologic agent to optimally treat ischemia. The patient may operate a patient activator that the patient when feeling ischemia symptoms to transmit a signal that is received by the implantable infusion pump and triggers delivery of a bolus and/or continuous infusion.
-
Citations
45 Claims
-
1. A method of accessing the pericardial space between a heart and its pericardium to deliver a pharmacologic agent to the heart, the method comprising the steps of:
-
advancing an infusion catheter to dispose a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening in the pericardial space; attaching a proximal connector of the infusion catheter to an infusion pump having a reservoir containing the pharmacologic agent; detecting an ischemic state of the heart; and delivering the pharmacologic agent from the reservoir into the pericardial space to counter the detected ischemic state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12-22. -22. (canceled)
-
23. A method of transvenously accessing the pericardial space between a heart and its pericardium to deliver a pharmacologic agent to the heart to treat an ischemic state, the method comprising the steps of
passing a fixation catheter having a fixation catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal fixation catheter lumen openings and a distal tissue fixation mechanism through a selected peripheral vein and one of the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava to establish a transvenous route into the right atrium of the heart; -
disposing the distal fixation mechanism and distal fixation catheter lumen opening proximate the right atrial wall; affixing the distal fixation mechanism to the right atrial wall; passing an infusion catheter through the fixation catheter lumen out of the distal fixation catheter lumen opening and through the stabilized atrial wall to dispose a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening in the pericardial space; and delivering a pharmacologic agent through the infusion catheter to treat an ischemic state. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. A method of transvenously accessing the pericardial space between a heart and its pericardium to deliver a NO-donor drug to the heart, the method comprising the steps of:
-
advancing an infusion catheter to dispose a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening in the pericardial space; attaching a proximal connector of the infusion catheter to an infusion pump; detecting a condition of the heart; and delivering a bolus of NO-donor drug. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45-53. -53. (canceled)
Specification