Abstract: This application describes a method and device for safely, effectively, perfusing distal to occluded arteries, based on diagnostic information from the catheter-perfusion-system based on sensors, effectors, controllers and algorithms included, with particular attention to the specific characteristics of the tissue and the fluid. Key actionable physiological values for the tissue can be calculated and derived. They include the auto-regulatory curve, with Upper and Lower limits of Auto regulation, vascular reserve, and collateral flow reserve and as auto-regulation exhaustion.

Abstract: An endovascular interventional method is provided that includes the steps of: inserting a catheter into a target blood vessel, wherein the catheter is coupled to a system that provides a continuous delivery of contrast and of a hyperosmotic fluid supply; injecting the contrast and determining a rate of flow that achieves angiographic filling of the target blood vessel at a first time; injecting the hyperosmotic fluid continuously at the rate of flow that achieves angiographic filling at the first time for a first period of time; injecting the contrast and determining a rate of flow that achieves angiographic filling of the target blood vessel at a second time following the first period of time; and injecting the hyperosmotic fluid continuously at the rate of flow that achieves angiographic filling at the second time for a second period of time.

Abstract: A method for delivering drugs into cystic fluid, the method comprising injecting a drug delivery system (DDS) into a cystic fluid space at an injection site, the DDS comprising at least one therapeutic agent encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, applying ultrasonic energy proximal to the injection site, and controlling the at least one of buoyancy, delivery location, mixing, and dispersion of the DDS to a targeted area using the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A method and system for infusing medical liquid with gasses, the system comprising a gas source, a vacuum pump, a temperature-controlled container including a fluid reservoir coupled to the gas source and the vacuum pump, a heating and cooling system, and a sonicator, and a controller configured to de-gas a liquid in the fluid reservoir by activating the vacuum pump, re-gas the liquid in the fluid reservoir by releasing gas from the gas source to the fluid reservoir via a first fluid line, and deliver the re-gassed liquid from the fluid reservoir to a catheter via a second fluid line.

Abstract: A method for delivering drugs into cystic fluid, the method comprising injecting a drug delivery system (DDS) into a cystic fluid space at an injection site, the DDS comprising at least one therapeutic agent encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, applying ultrasonic energy proximal to the injection site, and controlling the at least one of buoyancy, delivery location, mixing, and dispersion of the DDS to a targeted area using the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: This application describes a method and device for safely, effectively, perfusing distal to occluded arteries, based on diagnostic information from the catheter-perfusion-system based on sensors, effectors, controllers and algorithms included, with particular attention to the specific characteristics of the tissue and the fluid. Key actionable physiological values for the tissue can be calculated and derived. They include the auto-regulatory curve, with Upper and Lower limits of Auto regulation, vascular reserve, and collateral flow reserve and as auto-regulation exhaustion.

Abstract: The present application provides systems that include a controller, and an insertion device with at least one temperatures sensor thereon and a pump coupled to the controller. The insertion device provides temperature measurement(s) at/of a subject's organ to the controller and the controller varies an infusate flow rate to induce temperature changes in at least a portion of the subject's organ and stores the temperature measurements during perfusion induced temperature changes on a memory device. The controller may estimate at least one hemodynamic characteristic of at least a portion of the subject's organ based on the temperature measurements obtained during perfusion induced temperature changes.

Abstract: A method for delivering drugs into cystic fluid, the method comprising injecting a drug delivery system (DDS) into a cystic fluid space at an injection site, the DDS comprising at least one therapeutic agent encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, applying ultrasonic energy proximal to the injection site, and controlling the at least one of buoyancy, delivery location, mixing, and dispersion of the DDS to a targeted area using the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A method and system for infusing medical liquid with gasses, the system comprising a gas source, a vacuum pump, a temperature-controlled container including a fluid reservoir coupled to the gas source and the vacuum pump, a heating and cooling system, and a sonicator, and a controller configured to de-gas a liquid in the fluid reservoir by activating the vacuum pump, re-gas the liquid in the fluid reservoir by releasing gas from the gas source to the fluid reservoir via a first fluid line, and deliver the re-gassed liquid from the fluid reservoir to a catheter via a second fluid line.

Abstract: A method for delivering drugs into cystic fluid, the method comprising injecting a drug delivery system (DDS) into a cystic fluid space at an injection site, the DDS comprising at least one therapeutic agent encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, applying ultrasonic energy proximal to the injection site, and controlling the at least one of buoyancy, delivery location, mixing, and dispersion of the DDS to a targeted area using the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.

Abstract: The present application provides systems that include a controller, and an insertion device with at least one temperatures sensor thereon and a pump coupled to the controller. The insertion device provides temperature measurement(s) at/of a subject's organ to the controller and the controller varies an infusate flow rate to induce temperature changes in at least a portion of the subject's organ and stores the temperature measurements during perfusion induced temperature changes on a memory device. The controller may estimate at least one hemodynamic characteristic of at least a portion of the subject's organ based on the temperature measurements obtained during perfusion induced temperature changes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.

Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a temperature differential at a portion of a patient's body utilizing temperature sensitive MRI measurements. A diagnostic fluid bolus is administered into a blood vessel of the patient, wherein the diagnostic fluid bolus has a diagnostic fluid bolus temperature waveform. MRI measurements are used to determine the thermodiluted temperature waveform of the diagnostic fluid bolus at a target site in the body spaced away from the administration site. The temperature differential may be used to determine a cardiovascular parameter.

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a blood vessel in a patient utilizing temperature sensitive MRI measurement. The method includes introducing a fluid in a blood vessel, obtaining magnetic resonance information from the blood vessel, and determining a magnetic resonance parameter using the magnetic resonance information. The method further includes using the magnetic resonance parameter to determine a temperature differential in the blood vessel and producing an image of the blood vessel based on the temperature differential. Systems for producing an image of a blood vessel in a patient using temperature sensitive MRI measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a cardiovascular parameter in a portion of a body of a patient utilizing temperature sensitive MRI measurements. The method includes obtaining magnetic resonance information from a portion of a body of a patient and determining a magnetic resonance parameter using the magnetic resonance information. The method further includes using the magnetic resonance parameter to determine a temperature differential in the portion of the body and determining a cardiovascular parameter using the temperature differential.

Abstract: A method for determining a metabolic rate of a portion of a body of a patient. The method includes obtaining magnetic resonance information from the portion of the body after introduction of a fluid and determining a magnetic resonance parameter using the magnetic resonance information. The method further includes using the magnetic resonance parameter to determine a temperature differential in the portion of the body and using the temperature differential to determine a metabolic rate of the portion of the body.

Abstract: Endovascular intervention methods entail creating a temporary capillary block in the vasculature of at least a portion of a patient's organ, such as a hemisphere of the patient's brain, the capillary block essentially blocking blood flow through capillaries in the portion of the patient's organ, and performing the endovascular intervention. Distal embolism protection devices include a blood pump and at least one of a centrifuge element, a dialysis element, a cooling element, and a filtration element. The blood pump is generally capable of drawing blood from a patient's vein, circulating the blood through each of the elements so that a characteristic of a blood component may be manipulated therewith, and perfusing the modified blood into a patient's artery. A capillary block is thereby created in the vasculature of at least a portion of a patient's organ with manipulated blood components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.