Apparatus and methods for treating stroke and controlling cerebral flow characteristics

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in the common carotid artery of the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Retrograde flow may be provided through the catheter to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 115,333 filed Apr. 1, 2002 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 972,225 filed Oct. 4, 2001FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to improved apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke. More specifically, the apparatus and methods of the present invention are directed to treating stroke by controlling cerebral blood flow and removing thrombi and / or emboli. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Cerebral occlusions that lead to stroke require swift and effective therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. Many current technologies for treating stroke are inadequate because emboli generated during the procedure may travel downstream from the original occlusion and cause ischemia. There is currently a need for a stroke treatment system that provides a swift and efficient treatment f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling hemodynamic properties in the cerebral vasculature, for removal and recovery of thrombi and emboli, and for quick and efficient treatment of cerebral occlusions. The stroke treatment system includes an emboli removal catheter that can be inserted into the common carotid artery to occlude flow and influence flow characteristics in the cerebral vasculature. The system also includes a thrombectomy element that can be advanced across a lesion to remove emboli and a drug delivery lumen for infusing lytic agents. The invention allows for efficient and effective treatment of cerebral occlusions.

Problems solved by technology

Many current technologies for treating stroke are inadequate because emboli generated during the procedure may travel downstream from the original occlusion and cause ischemia.

A drawback associated with such technology is that delivering drugs may require a period of up to six hours to adequately treat the occlusion.

Another drawback associated with lytic agents (i.e., clot dissolving agents) is that they often facilitate bleeding.

However, in the event that emboli are generated during mechanical disruption of the thrombus, it is imperative that they be subsequently removed from the vasculature.

Such treatment methods do not attempt to manipulate flow characteristics in the cerebral vasculature, e.g., the Circle of Willis and communicating vessels, such that emboli may be removed.

For example, if the first balloon of the first tubular member is deployed in the left common carotid artery, as shown in FIG. 7C of that patent, aspiration of blood from the vessel between the balloon and the occlusion may cause the vessel to collapse.

On the other hand, if the balloon is not deployed, failure to stabilize the distal tip may result in damage to the vessel walls.

In addition, failure to occlude the vessel may permit antegrade blood flow to be diverted into that apparatus, rather than blood distal to the first tubular member.

However, when that balloon is deployed, the contralateral artery may be starved of sufficient flow, since the only other flow in that artery is that aspirated through the first tubular member.

On the other hand, if the balloon of the second tubular member is not inflated, no flow control is possible.

First, the use of a vacuum to aspirate the occlusion requires an external pressure monitoring device.

The application of too much vacuum pressure through the aspiration port may cause trauma, i.e., collapse, to the vessel wall.

The use of a chopping mechanism, however, may generate such a large quantity of emboli that it may be difficult to retrieve all of the emboli.

In addition, emboli generated by the action of the chopping mechanism may accumulate alongside the catheter, between the aspiration port and the distal balloon.

Yet another drawback of the device described in the Barbut '199 patent is that high-pressure perfusion in collateral arteries may not augment retrograde flow distal to the occlusion as hypothesized.

Antegrade blood flow from the heart in unaffected arteries, e.g., other vertebral and / or carotid arteries, may make it difficult for the pressure differential induced in the contralateral arteries to be communicated back to the occluded artery in a retrograde fashion.

One drawback associated with the technique described in the Frazee patent is that the pressure in the transverse venous sinuses must be continuously monitored to ensure that cerebral edema is avoided.

Because the veins are much less resilient than arteries, the application of sustained pressure on the venous side may cause brain swelling, while too little pressure may result in insufficient blood delivered to the arterial side.

A primary drawback associated with the device described in the Wensel patent is that the deployed coil contacts the intima of the vessel, and may damage to the vessel wall when the coil is retracted to snare the occlusion.

Additionally, the configuration of the coil is such that the device may not be easily retrieved once it has been deployed.

For example, once the catheter has been withdrawn and the coil deployed distal to the occlusion, it may be difficult or impossible to exchange the coil for another of different dimensions.

Like the Wensel device, the device described in the Engelson patent is depicted as contacting the intima of the vessel, and presents the same risks as the Wensel device.

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