Patent ID: 6488672
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
The method of treating thrombus within a patient's vascular system comprising the steps of:a. advancing a guidewire through the patient's vasculature and positioning the distal end thereof adjacent the thrombus to be treated; b. advancing a catheter over the guidewire and urging the distal portion of the catheter into the thrombus, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular body having a primary lumen for receiving the guidewire and delivering fluid to the thrombus to be treated and having distal and proximal ends, said primary lumen passing through said catheter body and having a reduction in diameter at its extreme distal end to cooperate with an occluder means, the lumen communicating with a plurality of radially directed fluid passageways which pass through the catheter body so as to deliver fluid therefrom to the exterior of the catheter, the catheter further comprising one or more secondary lumens having a diameter which is less than that of the first lumen and which are in fluid communication with balloon means disposed on the exterior of the catheter body; c. positioning the balloon means proximate the thrombus; d. positioning the guidewire within said primary lumen so that said reduced diameter segment cooperates with said guidewire substantially to restrict fluid from passing out the distal end of the catheter body; e. inflating said balloon means; and f. introducing thrombolytic agent into said primary lumen and subsequently through said radial passageways to said vasculature to treat said thrombus.