Patent ID: 11904080
Assignee: WHITE SWELL MEDICAL LTD
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method for treating heart failure in a patient, the method comprising:
providing a catheter apparatus comprising:
a proximal region and a distal region;
one or more restrictors, wherein at least one restrictor is coupled to the distal region, wherein the one or more restrictors are configured to move from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein in the expanded configuration, the one or more restrictors at least partially occlude flow through a vessel, thereby isolating a segment of the vessel from a surrounding area;
at least one inflow port positioned on the catheter to be in the isolated segment;
a discharge port disposed distal of the one or more restrictors; and
a pump comprising an impeller positioned between the inflow port and the discharge port, the impeller operable to pump fluid from the isolated segment into the inflow port and return the fluid, via the discharge port, to circulation downstream of the isolated segment;

advancing the catheter apparatus through a subclavian, jugular, or innominate vein of a patient to a region near a thoracic and/or lymphatic outflow duct; and
operating the catheter apparatus to regulate venous blood flow, wherein operating comprises activating the one or more restrictors and operating the impeller to achieve a flow rate through the impeller greater than a natural flow rate within the patient's vascular system thereby creating a low pressure zone in the isolated segment while maintaining intravascular pressure outside of the isolated segment, thereby treating heart failure in the patient.