Methods and devices for removal of a medical agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site
First Claim
1. A method for removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site of a living subject, said method comprising:
- introducing an aspiration device to a target site of said living subject at least proximal to said physiological efferent fluid collection site, wherein said aspiration device comprises an aspiration element and a flow modulator at a distal end of said aspiration element that is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths so that the flow paths are focused into said aspiration element, wherein said flow modulator comprises an expandable frame of two or more longitudinal elements and an impermeable membrane positioned between said two or more longitudinal elements and partially covering the expandable frame, said flow modulator being configured to produce an asymmetric fluid barrier that is radially asymmetric upon expansion of said expandable frame; and
activating said aspiration device when said agent is at least predicted to be present in said target site to remove fluid comprising said agent from said subject;
to selectively remove said agent from said physiological efferent fluid collection site.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site of a living subject, said method comprising:
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introducing an aspiration device to a target site of said living subject at least proximal to said physiological efferent fluid collection site, wherein said aspiration device comprises an aspiration element and a flow modulator at a distal end of said aspiration element that is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths so that the flow paths are focused into said aspiration element, wherein said flow modulator comprises an expandable frame of two or more longitudinal elements and an impermeable membrane positioned between said two or more longitudinal elements and partially covering the expandable frame, said flow modulator being configured to produce an asymmetric fluid barrier that is radially asymmetric upon expansion of said expandable frame; and activating said aspiration device when said agent is at least predicted to be present in said target site to remove fluid comprising said agent from said subject; to selectively remove said agent from said physiological efferent fluid collection site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification