SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVAL OF BLOOD AND THROMBOTIC MATERIAL
A method for improving a flow condition through a catheter advancing an aspiration catheter through a sheath such that an open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is distal to a distal end of a sheath and is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of a subject, coupling an extension conduit in fluid communication with a lumen of the sheath to a fluid source, and activating a pump such that pressurized fluid from a first fluid source is supplied to a supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, fluid from the second fluid source is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/516,190, filed Jul. 18, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/700,763, filed on Jul. 19, 2018, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. Priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 and 35 U.S.C. § 120.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure pertains generally to medical devices and methods of their use. More particularly, the present invention pertains to aspiration and thrombectomy devices and methods of use thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTSeveral devices and systems already exist to aid in the removal of thrombotic material. These include simple aspiration tube type devices using vacuum syringes to extract thrombus into the syringe, simple flush-and-aspirate devices, more complex devices with rotating components the pull in, macerate and transport thrombotic material away from the distal tip using a mechanical auger, systems that use very high pressure to macerate the thrombus and create a venturi effect to flush the macerated material away.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for improving a flow condition through a catheter includes providing an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft configured for placement within a blood vessel of a subject, a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen each extending along the shaft, the supply lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, and the aspiration lumen having a proximal end and an open distal end, and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid from a first fluid source into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen, providing a sheath including a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough, the sheath further including an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath, the extension conduit configured for coupling to a second fluid source, providing a seal associated with the proximal end of the sheath and configured to seal the lumen of the sheath around the elongate shaft of the aspiration catheter when the aspiration catheter is in place within the sheath, providing a tubing set including a first conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a second conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to the first fluid source, wherein the tubing set is configured to couple to a pump configured to pressurize fluid from the first fluid source or allow pressurized fluid from the first fluid source to be transferred to the supply lumen, such that the pressurized fluid is capable of flowing through the supply lumen from the proximal end of the supply lumen to the distal end of the supply lumen, coupling the distal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the vacuum source, coupling the distal end of the second conduit to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the second conduit to the first fluid source, inserting the distal end of the sheath within the vasculature of a subject, placing the aspiration catheter through the sheath and advancing the aspiration catheter such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is distal to the distal end of the sheath and is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of the subject, coupling the extension conduit to the second fluid source, and activating the pump such that pressurized fluid from the first fluid source is applied to the proximal end of the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, wherein when sufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, at least some of the flowable material is caused to flow through the aspiration lumen from the open distal end to the proximal end, and into an interior of the vacuum source, and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, fluid from the second fluid source is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath from the proximal end to the distal end, and at least some of the fluid from the second fluid source is delivered into the blood vessel of the subject.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for identifying a no flow or low flow condition through a catheter includes providing an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft configured for placement within a blood vessel of a subject, a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen each extending along the shaft, the supply lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, and the aspiration lumen having a proximal end and an open distal end, and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen, providing a sheath including a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough, the sheath further including an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath, the extension conduit configured for coupling to a second fluid source, the extension conduit fluidly coupled to a valve having a first position configured to selectively couple the extension conduit to a fluid source containing a contrast agent and a second position configured to selectively couple the extension conduit to a fluid source containing substantially no contrast agent, providing a seal associated with the proximal end of the sheath and configured to seal the lumen of the sheath around the elongate shaft of the aspiration catheter when the aspiration catheter is in place within the sheath, providing a tubing set including a first conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a second conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a first fluid source, wherein the tubing set is configured to couple to a pressurization element configured to pressurize fluid from the first fluid source or allow pressurized fluid from the first fluid source to be transferred to the supply lumen, such that the pressurized fluid is capable of flowing through the supply lumen from the proximal end of the supply lumen to the distal end of the supply lumen, coupling the distal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the vacuum source, coupling the distal end of the second conduit to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the second conduit to the first fluid source, inserting the distal end of the sheath within the vasculature of a subject, placing the aspiration catheter through the sheath and advancing the aspiration catheter such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of the subject, coupling the extension conduit to at least the fluid source containing a contrast agent, placing or maintaining the valve in the first position, and activating the pressurization element such that pressurized fluid from the first fluid source is applied to the proximal end of the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, wherein when sufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, at least some of the flowable material is caused to flow through the aspiration lumen from the open distal end to the proximal end, and into an interior of the vacuum source, and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, fluid from the fluid source containing a contrast agent is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least some of the fluid from the fluid source containing a contrast agent is delivered into the blood vessel of the subject.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for identifying a no flow or low flow condition through a catheter includes providing an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft configured for placement within a blood vessel of a subject, a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen each extending along the shaft, the supply lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, and the aspiration lumen having a proximal end and an open distal end, and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen, providing a sheath including a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough, the sheath further including an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath, the extension conduit configured for coupling to a second fluid source, the second fluid source containing a contrast agent, providing a seal associated with the proximal end of the sheath and configured to seal the lumen of the sheath around the elongate shaft of the aspiration catheter when the aspiration catheter is in place within the sheath, providing a tubing set including a first conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a second conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a first fluid source, wherein the tubing set is configured to couple to a pressurization element configured to pressurize fluid from the first fluid source or allow pressurized fluid from the first fluid source to be transferred to the supply lumen, such that the pressurized fluid is capable of flowing through the supply lumen from the proximal end of the supply lumen to the distal end of the supply lumen, coupling the distal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the first conduit of the tubing set to the vacuum source, coupling the distal end of the second conduit to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, coupling the proximal end of the second conduit to the first fluid source, inserting the distal end of the sheath within the vasculature of a subject, placing the aspiration catheter through the sheath and advancing the aspiration catheter such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of the subject, coupling the extension conduit to at least the fluid source containing a contrast agent, and activating the pressurization element such that pressurized fluid from the first fluid source is applied to the proximal end of the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, wherein when sufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, at least some of the flowable material is caused to flow through the aspiration lumen from the open distal end to the proximal end, and into an interior of the vacuum source, and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, fluid from the fluid source containing a contrast agent is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least some of the fluid from the fluid source containing a contrast agent is delivered into the blood vessel of the subject.
In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for aspirating thrombus includes an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft configured for placement within a blood vessel of a subject, a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen each extending along the shaft, the supply lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, and the aspiration lumen having a proximal end and an open distal end, and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen, a tubing set including a first conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a second conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a first fluid source, a pressurization element configured to couple to the tubing set and further configured to pressurize fluid from the first fluid source or allow pressurized fluid from the first fluid source to be transferred to the supply lumen, such that the pressurized fluid is capable of flowing through the supply lumen from the proximal end of the supply lumen to the distal end of the supply lumen, a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough, the sheath further including an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath, the extension conduit configured for coupling to a second fluid source, a seal associated with the proximal end of the sheath and configured to seal the lumen of the sheath around the elongate shaft of the aspiration catheter when the aspiration catheter is in place within the sheath, and wherein the extension conduit is configured to allow fluid from the second fluid source to flow through the lumen of the sheath from the proximal end of the sheath to the distal end of the sheath when the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is extended outside of the lumen of the sheath in a blood vessel and is in proximity to the distal end of the sheath, and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, such that a negative pressure gradient supplied by the vacuum source further causes a significant volume of the fluid from the second fluid source to actively flow through the aspiration lumen from the open distal end to the proximal end and into an interior of the vacuum source.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for aspirating thrombus includes an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft configured for placement within a blood vessel of a subject, a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen each extending along the shaft, the supply lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, and the aspiration lumen having a proximal end and an open distal end, and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen, a tubing set including a first conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a vacuum source, and a second conduit having a distal end configured to couple to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter and a proximal end configured to couple to a first fluid source, a pressurization element configured to couple to the tubing set and further configured to pressurize fluid from the first fluid source or allow pressurized fluid from the first fluid source to be transferred to the supply lumen, such that the pressurized fluid is capable of flowing through the supply lumen from the proximal end of the supply lumen to the distal end of the supply lumen, a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough, the sheath further including an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath, the extension conduit configured for coupling to a second fluid source, the extension conduit fluidly coupled to a valve having a first position configured to selectively couple the extension conduit to a fluid source containing a contrast agent and a second position configured to selectively couple the extension conduit to a fluid source containing substantially no contrast agent, a seal associated with the proximal end of the sheath and configured to seal the lumen of the sheath around the elongate shaft of the aspiration catheter when the aspiration catheter is in place within the sheath, and wherein the aspiration catheter has a first position within the sheath wherein the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is outside of the lumen of the sheath and distal to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the aspiration catheter has a second position within the sheath wherein the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is within the lumen of the sheath and proximal to the distal end of the sheath.
For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A connector 1642 is coupled to the aspiration catheter 1930, and includes a female luer sideport 1644 configured to allow injection through the high-pressure injection lumen 1934 of the tube 1936 (
Accessories 2057 include a syringe 2049 having a plunger 2067 and a barrel 2099. The syringe 2049 is coupled to the vacuum line 1652 via a luer 2065. The syringe 2049 is configured as a vacuum source, to apply a negative pressure on the aspiration lumen 1932 of the aspiration catheter 1930, for example, to aid in the aspiration of thrombus or other materials from a blood vessel 1999 and into the open distal end 1931 (
Returning to
A particular configuration for a system for aspirating thrombus 2400 is illustrated in
Alternatively, the push button 1607 may act as a reset button, and be configured to always open the pinch valve 1610 (when it is closed), or to make no change if the pinch valve 1610 is already open. In an embodiment having both the foot pedal 2021 and the push button 1067, with the push button 1607 configured as a reset button, activation of the foot pedal 2021 toggles the pinch valve 1610 open and closed, while activation of the push button 1607 always places or maintains the pinch valve 1610 in the open position. The push button 1607 may be a mechanical (doorbell) type button, or may be a touch switch (e.g., capacitive, resistive, or piezo), or in some embodiments may even be a toggle or rocker switch. The co-location of two or more of the syringe 2049, the pinch valve 1610, the pump base 200, and the push button 1607 may also be an advantage because it allows a quick assessment by an attending physician or medical personnel in a quick glance, for example, if otherwise focused on catheter manipulation in the sterile field.
An additional advantage supplied by the pinch valve 1610 is that the controller 303 may be configured to cause the piston pump 305 to operate whenever the pinch valve 1610 is in the open condition. Thus, there will always be at least some jet-induced maceration of thrombus while a vacuum is being applied to the aspiration lumen 1932. This minimizes or prevents the aspiration lumen 1932 clogging, which could occur if vacuum or negative pressure is being applied to a large portion of thrombus without any maceration (breaking into smaller pieces).
Returning to
It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the pinch valve 1610 and the foot pedal 2021 may be incorporated for on/off operation of the pinch valve 1610 on the vacuum line 1652, without utilizing the pressure sensor 106. In fact, in some embodiments, the pressure sensor 106 may even be absent from the system for aspirating thrombus 2400, the foot pedal 2021 being used as a predominant control means.
Returning to
In use, the distal end 2451 of the guide sheath 2450 in placed within the blood vessel 1999 via an external puncture or cutdown. For example, via a femoral artery or radial artery. The aspiration catheter 1930 is placed through the guide sheath 2450 and the distal end 1997 of the aspiration catheter 1930 is tracked (e.g., over a guidewire 1902) to a location adjacent a thrombus 1995. The guidewire 1902, if used, may be removed from the aspiration catheter 1930, may be partially retracted, or may be left in place. With the hydraulic connections of
FR3=FR1+FR2
The actual flow rate of the blood/thrombus being aspirated from the blood vessel 1999 may likely be less than the total potential flow rate FR3. But in certain cases, the total potential flow rate FR3 is significantly decreased. For example, if the thrombus 1995 creates a significant occlusion within the blood vessel 1999, and if much or all of the blood or flowable macerated thrombus has been aspirated from the area of interest, there may not be sufficiently enough flowable material adjacent the thrombus 1995 to allow sufficient flow through the aspiration lumen 1932 of the aspiration catheter 1930, even if the aspiration lumen 1932 is not occluded. Thus, a significantly active flowing condition is not present to the extent that new portions of the thrombus 1995 may be sucked inside the open distal end 1931 of the aspiration lumen 1932. In some embodiments, the injection flow rate FR1 is configured to be between about 15 ml/min and about 50 ml/min, or between about 20 ml/min and about 40 ml/min, or between about 25 ml/min and about 35 ml/min. In some embodiments, the potential aspiration flow rate FR2 is configured to be between about 150 ml/min and about 600 ml/min, or between about 300 ml/min and 600 ml/min. or between about 350 ml/min and about 500 ml/min. With the rotatable valve 346 in the position of
Additional advantages related to the use of the syringe 312 containing contrast media 314 are described in relation to
With the advantages of the retrograde flow through the guide sheath 2450, a significantly empty clot bed can fill itself to allow the thrombus 1995 to move, or come in contact with or be closer to the open distal end 1931 of the aspiration lumen 1932. The blood vessel wall can also be distended somewhat, allowing a larger volume of saline and blood within, the further aid the aspiration of thrombus. Using the contrast media 314, real-time visualization can be performed during manipulation (positioning/advancement/retraction) of the aspiration catheter 1930, and of the guide sheath 2450. The plunger 318 can be manually compressed to inject puffs of contrast media 314. Additionally, downstream drug migration can be minimized, if using “clot-busting” drugs injected through or mixed with the saline that is injected through the high pressure injection lumen 1934, because the periods of injection without aspiration (when the aspiration lumen 1932 is blocked) are minimized. Drug may include a lytic agent such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) or urokinase. The active use of the lytic agent can actually be more efficient, as less is wasted, and more is delivered to the appropriate target area of action. The lytic agent is delivered to a more dynamic surface area of the thrombus 1995, and is thus more effective in its action on the thrombus 1995. In cases where an active mechanical thrombectomy device is used, the ability to receive injectate from the guide sheath 2450 can serve to cool down a heated catheter tip. Additionally, the used of the contrast media 314 aids in the delineation of the borders of the thrombus 1995. The constant available supply of fluids from the guide sheath 314, both contrast media 314 and saline 350 allow the procedure to be optimized and tailored. Blood loss from excessive aspiration of blood and not thrombus can also be reduced.
Any of the embodiments described herein may be used conjunction with the Apollo™ System (Penumbra, Inc., Alameda, Calif., USA). The aspiration catheters described herein may be replaced by any standard aspiration catheter having one or more aspiration lumens. Aspiration catheters used herein may include the ACE™ or INDIGO® catheters produced by Penumbra, Inc. of Alameda, Calif., USA. The user may pull the distal end 1997 of the aspiration catheter 1930 fully into the guide sheath 2450 to mimic the separator device used in conjunction with the ACE™ or INDIGO® catheters. The coaxially placed tubes/shafts of the guide sheath 2450 and the aspiration catheter 1930 can be moved back and forth longitudinally in relation to each other to create additional shearing of any thrombus in the area, to further macerate the thrombus, or to reposition the thrombus in a more strategically aligned location.
In some instances, a degree of MRI compatibility may be imparted into parts of the devices described herein. For example, to enhance compatibility with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, it may be desirable to make various portions of the devices described herein from materials that do not substantially distort MRI images or cause substantial artifacts (gaps in the images). Some ferromagnetic materials, for example, may not be suitable as they may create artifacts in an MRI image. In some cases, the devices described herein may include materials that the MRI machine can image. Some materials that exhibit these characteristics include, for example, tungsten, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like), nickel-cobaltchromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nitinol, and the like, and others.
In some instances, some of the devices described herein may include a coating such as a lubricious coating or a hydrophilic coating. Hydrophobic coatings such as fluoropolymers provide a dry lubricity. Lubricious coatings improve steerability and improve lesion crossing capability. Suitable lubricious polymers are well known in the art and may include silicone and the like, hydrophilic polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyarylene oxides, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylalcohols, hydroxy alkyl cellulosics, algins, saccharides, caprolactones, and the like, and mixtures and combinations thereof. Hydrophilic polymers may be blended among themselves or with formulated amounts of water insoluble compounds (including some polymers) to yield coatings with suitable lubricity, bonding, and solubility.
It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.
While embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated to have utility in a variety of blood vessels, including but not limited to coronary arteries, carotid arteries, intracranial/cerebral arteries, inferior and superior vena cavae and other veins (for example, in cases of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), peripheral arteries, shunts, grafts, vascular defects, and chambers of the heart. This includes, but is not limited to, any vessel having a diameter of bout two mm or greater. An aspiration catheter 1930 outer diameter of about seven French or less is contemplated for many of the applications, though in certain applications, it may be larger. In some embodiments, an aspiration catheter 1930 diameter of about six French or less is contemplated. Embodiments of the present disclosure may even be used in non-vascular applications, for example body lumens or cavities having material accumulations that need to be macerated and/or removed.
It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed above may be made and still fall within one or more of the embodiments. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication.
The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers (e.g., about 10%=10%), and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.
Claims
1. A method for identifying a no flow or low flow condition through a catheter, comprising:
- coupling a first fluid source to a supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, the aspiration catheter comprising: a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end; and an opening at or near the distal end of the supply lumen, the opening configured to allow the injection of pressurized fluid from a first fluid source into the aspiration lumen at or near the distal end of the aspiration lumen when the pressurized fluid is caused or allowed to flow through the supply lumen;
- coupling a vacuum source to the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter;
- positioning a sheath within the vasculature of a subject, the sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen being configured for placement of the aspiration catheter therethrough; and an extension conduit in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath and extending from the sheath;
- with the sheath within the vasculature of the subject, placing the aspiration catheter through the sheath and advancing the aspiration catheter such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of the subject;
- coupling the extension conduit to an auxiliary fluid supply system; and
- activating the pressurization element such that pressurized fluid from the first fluid source is applied to the proximal end of the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, wherein when sufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, at least some of the flowable material is caused to flow through the aspiration lumen from the open distal end to the proximal end, and into an interior of the vacuum source, and when insufficient flowable material is present adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, fluid from the auxiliary fluid supply system is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath between the proximal end and the distal end.
2. The method of claim 1, further selecting the fluid from the auxiliary fluid supply system to flow through the lumen of the sheath.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting contrast agent to flow through the lumen of the sheath.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising visualizing on fluoroscopy a portion of a lumen of the blood vessel at or adjacent the distal end of the sheath as a result of the contrast agent flowing through the lumen of the sheath from the proximal end to the distal end and into the blood vessel.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting the fluid from the auxiliary fluid supply system comprises selected between a contrast agent source and a saline fluid source.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the contrast agent source comprises a syringe having a barrel and plunger longitudinally movable within the barrel, the barrel configured to contain the contrast agent.
7. The method of claim 2, further comprising increasing compression of the saline fluid source to a pressure of at least 250 mm Hg.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting the fluid from the auxiliary fluid supply system comprises rotating a valve in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid sources.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a signal from a pressure sensor in communication with a conduit in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the conduit is a vacuum line in communication with the vacuum source.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure sensor comprises an input port with a septum.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising adding fluid within the vacuum line.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing fluid from within the vacuum line.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing air from the vacuum line.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising priming at least the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- changing a relative longitudinal relationship between the aspiration catheter and the sheath such that the distal end of the aspiration catheter is within the lumen of the sheath and proximal to the distal end of the sheath; and
- viewing a plunger of a syringe associated with the auxiliary fluid supply system while a pump is activated, wherein movement of the plunger into the barrel indicates a previous insufficiency of flowable material adjacent the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein longitudinal movement of the plunger into the barrel indicates active flow through the aspiration catheter.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- changing a relative longitudinal relationship between the aspiration catheter and the sheath such that the distal end of the aspiration catheter is within the lumen of the sheath and proximal to the distal end of the sheath; and
- viewing a plunger of a syringe associated with the auxiliary fluid supply system while a pump is activated, wherein no longitudinal movement of the plunger in relation to the barrel indicates blockage in the aspiration catheter.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 11, 2022
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2022
Inventors: David M. Look (Newport Beach, CA), Bradley S. Culbert (Mission Viejo, CA)
Application Number: 17/886,050