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'"'"' umbilical cord;
providing a guide catheter having a magnetic object coupled proximate a distal end of the guide catheter;
positioning the guide catheter into the umbilical cord 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 guide the guide catheter from an access point of the umbilical cord to a desired location within the fetus'"'"' heart;
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
0 Petitions
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.
8 Citations
15 Claims
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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'"'"' umbilical cord;
providing a guide catheter having a magnetic object coupled proximate a distal end of the guide catheter;
positioning the guide catheter into the umbilical cord 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 guide the guide catheter from an access point of the umbilical cord to a desired location within the fetus'"'"' heart;
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)
- using a needle to access the fetus'"'"' umbilical cord;
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11. A method of treating a heart malformation in a fetus in utero, the method comprising:
- 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 from an entry location of the umbilical vein 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 (12, 13, 14, 15)
- using a needle to access an umbilical vein of the fetus proximate the fetus'"'"' liver;
Specification