Abstract: A method and system for delivering a medical agent to targeted tissues in a patient, and subsequently removing systemically distributed medical agent to minimize exposure of non-targeted portions of a patient's body to the medical agent. The patient is treated with a targeted medical agent that includes a therapeutic component, a targeting component, and a magnetically attracted component. The targeting component, such as an antibody known to be attracted to an antigen present at the target, causes a concentration of the targeted medical agent to occur at the targeted tissue. The medical agent not concentrated at the targeted tissue is removed by withdrawing and magnetically filtering a portion of the patient's blood to remove the targeted medical agent, and returning the filtered blood to the patient.

Abstract: Methods of sealing an injection site of a tissue are provided, where therapeutic agent has been injected into tissue, resulting in increased efficiency or agent uptake. Also provided are methods for delivering therapeutic agent to a tissue, which include injecting a therapeutic agent into a tissue and subsequently sealing the injection site, or engaging an injection device with the tissue for a sufficient period of time that sealing is not necessary to avoid leakage of the therapeutic agent. In one embodiment radio frequency cautery is used to seal the injection site upon needle removal from the tissue. In other embodiments, the injection site is sealed by resistance heating, laser heating or plugging the site with a solid plug or coagulating material at the site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating and delivering a medical agent into an isolated vein segment, the isolated vein segment not having any communicating vein branches, the apparatus comprising a catheter having at least expandable vein occlusion devices to engage and expand the inside wall of a vein, thereby blocking the interior of the vein and preventing fluid located in the isolated segment from flowing between the occlusion devices and the wall of the vein at a pressure within the isolated vein segment of at least 100, and preferably 200, millimeters of mercury, the catheter including one or more lumens for directing a fluid into the isolated vein segment at a pressure of at least 100 millimeters of mercury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catheter devices and methods for their use to modulate medical agents at selected locations in a patient's body.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a medical agent to a functional implant within a target tissue of an organism includes disposing a ferromagnetic, functional implant in a target tissue of an organism, the implant either having a magnetic field or being capable of magnetization, and introducing a medical agent carried by a magnetically sensitive carrier. The carrier is introduced into a blood flow of the organism upstream from the target tissue, the carrier and medical agent migrate via the blood flow to the target tissue, and the carrier and medical agent remain substantially localized around the implant as a result of the magnetic field. The implant may be magnetized via a permanent or electro magnet. In addition, the implant may be demagnetized by a degaussing device after the need for the medical agent is no longer required.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for revascularizing ischemic tissue by creating a continuous channel from a non-ischemic to an ischemic area of the myocardium. A penetrating tip at the distal end of a catheter is advanced through specific areas of the myocardium. Healing of the channel results in angiogenesis of new blood vessels along its path, thus establishing a continuous vascular connection between the vascular beds in the non-ischemic myocardium and in the ischemic myocardium. The channel may originate from a blood vessel on the heart or from the inner or outer surface thereof. Preferably, the channel comprises a split path, formed by separating a thin layer of myocardium rather than creating a hole therethrough. Growth of the new blood vessels is further enhanced by placing an angiogenic growth factor in at least a portion of the channel.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a medicinal agent, such as a therapeutic drug or diagnostic agent, to a treatment site within a limb of a patient. An infusion catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and advanced to the treatment site. To prevent blood flow through the treatment site from carrying away the medicinal agent, the blood flow in the limb is stopped by applying external pressure with a constriction device, such as a pressure cuff coupled to an inflation pump, or a tourniquet. The medicinal agent is then injected through the catheter with an infusion pump while the blood flow is stopped. Optionally, the infusion process is repeated in successive cycles that are separated by a rest period in which blood flow in the limb is allowed to resume. A controller can be used to automate the process.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a medicinal agent to a treatment site within a limb of a patient. An infusion catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and advanced to the treatment site. To prevent blood flow through the treatment site from carrying away the medicinal agent, the blood flow in the limb is stopped by applying external pressure with a constriction device, such as a pressure cuff or a tourniquet, and/or with a balloon on the catheter. The medicinal agent is then injected through the catheter. Optionally, the infusion process is repeated in successive cycles that are separated by a rest period in which blood flow in the limb is allowed to resume. A controller automates the process. Preferably a distal constriction device is used to prevent the medicinal agent from flowing out of the treatment area into tissue distal of the treatment area.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. Alternatively, the burr may include a polymeric tube that is coated with an abrasive and secured to the proximal end of the burr. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. Alternatively, the burr may comprise a metallic strip wound over a mandrel. When the strip is tightly coiled to the mandrel, its outer diameter decreases. The outer diameter of the burr increases as the metallic strip expands. In addition, the burr can be formed as a wire spring wound over a drive tube. The distal end of the spring is coupled to a nose cone that can move within a distal lumen in the drive tube. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by the distance that the nose cone can be retracted into the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a medical agent to tissue external to a body passage through which the catheter is inserted. The catheter includes a tissue piercing member, e.g., a needle having a rectangular cross-section that is asymmetrically flexible, such that the member is substantially more flexible about a first cross-sectional axis than about a second cross-sectional axis. The tissue piercing member is thus readily deflected about one axis, away from the catheter and into the tissue, while minimizing buckling of the tissue piercing member about the other axis. The catheter can include a balloon located proximal to and on the same side as the piercing member, and a second balloon located distal to and on the opposite side as the piercing member. When inflated, the balloons cause the portion of the catheter between the balloons to flex and bend, facilitating penetration of the tissue by the tissue piercing member.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. Alternatively, the burr may include a polymeric tube that is coated with an abrasive and secured to the proximal end of the burr. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. Alternatively, the burr may comprise a metallic strip wound over a mandrel. When the strip is tightly coiled to the mandrel, its outer diameter decreases. The outer diameter of the burr increases as the metallic strip expands. In addition, the burr can be formed as a wire spring wound over a drive tube. The distal end of the spring is coupled to a nose cone that can move within a distal lumen in the drive tube. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by the distance that the nose cone can be retracted into the lumen.

Abstract: A percutaneous aspiration catheter removing thrombus or other emboli from blood vessels and a method of extracting embolus pieces larger than the diameter of the catheter. The percutaneous aspiration catheter has barbs positioned near its end to trap material within the catheter.

Abstract: A stent securing catheter including a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and defining a stent receiving lumen. The tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the distal end defines an opening into the receiving lumen. The opening into the receiving lumen is disposed at a generally acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: An improved system for removing thrombus from blood vessels comprising a catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, designed to be advanced through a hemostasis valve and guide catheter and over a guidewire for placement of its distal end at a point proximal to a thrombus, the catheter shaft defining at least one longitudinally-extending lumen, the catheter having a guidewire retainer which retains the guidewire within the catheter in a peripheral or non-centered part of the catheter cross-section, the distal tip of the catheter being angled back from the guidewire retainer to allow the catheter to follow the guidewire around tight bends and across restrictions easily; a suction device in fluid communication with the proximal end of the catheter for providing vacuum down the catheter lumen to the distal tip, for drawing thrombus into the lumen; and the lumen terminating in an angled tip at the distal end, the angled tip improving the removal of thrombus adhering to the vessel wall and reducing clogging o

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for breaking up a thrombus by introducing a tating core wire into the thrombus whereby the fibrin of the thrombus will be withdrawn from the thrombus into the rotating core wire, thereby breaking up the network of the thrombus which prevents blood flow. The apparatus includes a drive shaft housing which can be used to withdraw fluid from the area of the thrombus or to introduce medicines, such as streptokinase which will further break up the thrombus or other chemicals such as contrast agents for visualizing the vascular anatomy. The apparatus also includes a shaft housing which is provided with an expanded catheter funnel at the distal end and a venturi insert immediately proximal to the distal end. The apparatus further includes a prime mover which, in addition to rotating the drive shaft, allows for axial motion of the drive shaft relative to the drive shaft housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating cellular components of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) from waste components (plasma, anticoagulant, toxins, and other relatively small molecules). The presently preferred embodiment is a two stage plasma separator apparatus. The first stage is comprised of a first chamber having inlet means for admitting blood requiring separation of cellular components from waste components, and outlet means for discharging blood processed in said first chamber. A first filter means is associated with the first chamber for separating cellular components from waste components of blood, the first filter means including first waste outlet means for discharging waste components of blood processed in the first chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating cellular components of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet) from waste components (plasma, anticoagulant, toxins, and other relatively small molecules). The presently preferred embodiment is a two stage plasma separator apparatus. One feature of the present invention is the use of rotors, and further providing rotors with wedge shaped cavities to cause turbulence, and thereby increase the filtration rate of waste components.

Abstract: A defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a membrane oxygenator, for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided. In a second embodiment, an element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir within the fluid therein.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator having a defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The defoaming device of the oxygenator is designed for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided. In a second embodiment, an element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir within the fluid therein.

Abstract: A defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a membrane oxygenator, for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. The device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided.