Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: A suspension of a therapeutic substance (e.g., embolic beads) dispersed within a liquid can be delivered via a catheter by using a bidirectional pump to rapidly draw the mixture of the therapeutic substance and liquid from an external syringe into an internal reservoir, then rapidly push the mixture back out into the external syringe. The rapid operation of the bidirectional pump mixes the two constituents so that the therapeutic substance is temporarily suspended within the liquid. Then, a low-speed pump is used to inject the mixture out via the catheter. In some embodiments, the parameters of the low-speed pump are controlled so that the fluid exiting the catheter will experience laminar flow. When the therapeutic substance comprises embolic beads, this can advantageously prevent reflux of the embolic beads, which can be dangerous.

Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: A suspension of a therapeutic substance (e.g., embolic beads) dispersed within a liquid can be delivered via a catheter by using a bidirectional pump to rapidly draw the mixture of the therapeutic substance and liquid from an external syringe into an internal reservoir, then rapidly push the mixture back out into the external syringe. The rapid operation of the bidirectional pump mixes the two constituents so that the therapeutic substance is temporarily suspended within the liquid. Then, a low-speed pump is used to inject the mixture out via the catheter. In some embodiments, the parameters of the low-speed pump are controlled so that the fluid exiting the catheter will experience laminar flow. When the therapeutic substance comprises embolic beads, this can advantageously prevent reflux of the embolic beads, which can be dangerous.

Abstract: Controlled delivery of embolic beads into a subject's artery is achieved using a pump configured to draw fluid into a chamber and eject fluid from the chamber, one or more valves that control fluid-flow paths between three ports and the chamber of the pump, a valve actuator that places the one or more valves into various operating states, and a controller that controls the operation of the pump and the one or more valves in a controlled sequence. The various operating states interconnect one of the ports with a common port in fluid communication with the pump to achieve the controlled delivery of embolic beads.

Abstract: Tumors can be treated by introducing a first embolization agent (e.g., small embolic beads) into a blood vessel that supplies blood to the tumor, then introducing a therapeutic substance into the blood vessel at a position that is proximal with respect to the first embolization agent, and then introducing a second embolization agent (e.g., large embolic beads) into the blood vessel at a position that is proximal with respect to at least a portion of the therapeutic substance. The first embolization agent prevents complete systemic release of the substance, and the second embolization agent prevents retrograde washout of the substance. In some embodiments, the first embolization agent is omitted, and the second embolization agent impedes systemic release by impeding the forward flow of blood. In some embodiments, the therapeutic substance is an immunotherapy substance (e.g., CAR T-cells).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for embolizing an artery in a living subject using a catheter are disclosed. The catheter has a lumen and also has a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is introduced into the artery, and the balloon is inflated to form a seal that prevents blood in the artery from flowing past the balloon. A mixture that includes embolic particles and contrast agent is injected through the lumen into the portion of the artery that is distally beyond the balloon. The subject's own blood or another fluid that contains platelets is injected through the lumen into the portion of the artery that is distally beyond the balloon. Subsequently, the balloon is deflated and the distal end of the catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for embolizing an artery in a living subject using a catheter are disclosed. The catheter has a lumen and also has a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is introduced into the artery, and the balloon is inflated to form a seal that prevents blood in the artery from flowing past the balloon. A mixture that includes embolic particles and contrast agent is injected through the lumen into the portion of the artery that is distally beyond the balloon. The subject's own blood or another fluid that contains platelets is injected through the lumen into the portion of the artery that is distally beyond the balloon. Subsequently, the balloon is deflated and the distal end of the catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: Controlled delivery of embolic beads into a subject's artery is achieved using a pump configured to draw fluid into a chamber and eject fluid from the chamber, one or more valves that control fluid-flow paths between three ports and the chamber of the pump, a valve actuator that places the one or more valves into various operating states, and a controller that controls the operation of the pump and the one or more valves in a controlled sequence. The various operating states interconnect one of the ports with a common port in fluid communication with the pump to achieve the controlled delivery of embolic beads.

Abstract: Weight loss can be promoted by introducing a microcatheter into the mid segment or distal portion of a human subject's left gastric artery and delivering, via the microcatheter, a plurality of particles with sizes between 300 and 500 ?m into the distal portion of the subject's left gastric artery. The particles cause endovascular flow reduction or interruption in the distal portion of the subject's left gastric artery. The reduced or interrupted blood flow decreases the production of the hormone ghrelin, which reduces the subject's appetite, thereby promoting weight loss.

Abstract: Weight loss can be promoted by folding a portion of the gastric fundus of a human subject's stomach in proximity to the distal portion of the subject's left gastric artery (including its smaller branches), and clipping the tissue so that it stays in the folded state. The clips cause endovascular flow reduction or interruption to the fundus. The reduced or interrupted blood flow decreases the production of the hormone ghrelin, which reduces the subject's appetite, thereby promoting weight loss. A similar procedure may also be implemented in portions of the subject's stomach that are in proximity to other arteries.