Fetal Intervention Using Magnetically-Guided Navigation
First Claim
1. A method for addressing a fetal malformation in a fetus in utero through fetal intervention, the method comprising:
- using a needle to access the fetus'"'"' circulation system;
providing a guide catheter having a magnetic object coupled proximate a distal end of the guide catheter;
positioning the guide catheter into the circulation system of the fetus through the needle;
providing a plurality of controlled magnets operable to guide the magnetic object on the guide catheter in three dimensions to within at least a centimeter;
using the plurality of controlled magnets to position the guide catheter at a desired location within the fetus;
introducing a treatment catheter over or in the guide catheter;
moving the treatment catheter along the guide catheter to position the treatment catheter at a treatment location;
treating the fetal malformation at the treatment location;
removing the treatment catheter;
removing the guide catheter; and
removing the needle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for fetal intervention to address malformations or other conditions are presented. In one instance, a method is provided that includes introducing a guide catheter into the fetus'"'"' venous system and using controlled magnets to position the guide catheter at a desired location. The method also involves positioning the treatment catheter at a treatment location using the guide catheter and delivering a treatment using the treatment catheter at the treatment location. In one particular application, a hypoplastic left heart is treated by using a balloon catheter as the treatment catheter and inflating a balloon on the balloon catheter at the aortic valve. Other methods and systems are disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for addressing a fetal malformation in a fetus in utero through fetal intervention, the method comprising:
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using a needle to access the fetus'"'"' circulation system; providing a guide catheter having a magnetic object coupled proximate a distal end of the guide catheter; positioning the guide catheter into the circulation system of the fetus through the needle; providing a plurality of controlled magnets operable to guide the magnetic object on the guide catheter in three dimensions to within at least a centimeter; using the plurality of controlled magnets to position the guide catheter at a desired location within the fetus; introducing a treatment catheter over or in the guide catheter; moving the treatment catheter along the guide catheter to position the treatment catheter at a treatment location; treating the fetal malformation at the treatment location; removing the treatment catheter; removing the guide catheter; and removing the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of treating a heart malformation in a fetus in utero, the method comprising:
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using a needle to access an umbilical vein of the fetus proximate the fetus'"'"' liver; providing a guide catheter having a magnetic object proximate a distal end; positioning the guide catheter into the umbilical vein of the fetus via the needle; providing a magnetic guidance system; using the magnetic guidance system to direct the guide catheter into the heart of the fetus at a desired location; moving a treatment catheter to a treatment position in the fetus'"'"' heart; and treating the fetal malformation at the treatment location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for treating a fetal malformation, the system comprising:
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a needle for accessing the fetus'"'"' venous system; a guide catheter sized and configured to be introduced into the fetus'"'"' venous system through the needle, wherein the guide catheter comprises a magnetic object on a distal end of the guide catheter; a controlled magnet subsystem for moving the magnetic object on the guide catheter within the fetus'"'"' venous system and into the cardiovascular system of the fetus to within three millimeters; a treatment catheter sized and configured to coordinate with the guide catheter such that the treatment catheter may be guided along the guide catheter to a treatment location proximate the malformation; and wherein the treatment catheter includes a treatment device for treating the heart malformation.
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Specification