Patent ID: 6514236
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for treating or studying a cardiovascular condition of a patient, comprising:(a) providing a first vascular interventional device that may be introduced over a guidewire into a vessel of the cardiovascular system of a patient, said device comprising: (i) a hollow, flexible tube having: (A) a proximal end; (B) a distal end that is adapted to selectively engage a target vessel of the cardiovascular system of the patient which target vessel is different from the vessel of entry; (C) a lumen that is continuous from the proximal to the distal end; (D) an end hole in the distal end thereof that is in fluid communication with the lumen; (ii) a hub at the proximal end of the tube, said hub including: (A) an end port through which a second interventional device having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the lumen may be introduced into the lumen; (B) a side port through which a fluid agent may be injected for delivery through the lumen and out the end hole of the tube; (C) a sealing mechanism that prevents air from entering the tube and blood and other fluids from leaking out of the tube through the hub; (iii) a flexible, hollow vessel dilator that is adapted for insertion into and through the tube and over the guidewire, said dilator: (A) having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being adapted to accommodate vascular entry over the guidewire; (B) having an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the guidewire; (C) having an outside diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the lumen of the tube; (D) being adapted to dilate the vessel to accept the tube; and (E) being adapted for secure but removable attachment to the hub at its proximal end; (b) inserting a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end into a vessel of entry of the cardiovascular system of a patient; (c) advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the target vessel; (d) inserting the dilator of the first vascular interventional device into the tube so that the distal end of the dilator protrudes from the distal end of the tube; (e) introducing the dilator and the tube of the first vascular interventional device over the guidewire into the vessel of entry of the cardiovascular system of the patient; (f) advancing the distal ends of the dilator and the tube of the first vascular interventional device over the guidewire to the target vessel; (g) withdrawing the dilator of the first vascular interventional device from the cardiovascular system of the patient through and out of the tube; (h) selecting a second interventional device having a proximal end and a distal end, which device is adapted to treat or study the cardiovascular condition; (i) introducing the second interventional device through the end port of the hub of the first vascular interventional device; (j) advancing the distal end of the second interventional device over the guidewire to the distal end of the tube of the first vascular interventional device; (k) withdrawing the guidewire from the cardiovascular system of the patient; (l) injecting a fluid agent through the side port of the first vascular interventional device for delivery through the lumen around the second vascular interventional device, and out the end hole; (m) employing the second interventional device to treat or study the cardiovascular condition.