Patent ID: 6723081
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of administering a fluid to a treatment site in a human body, the method comprising:providing a catheter comprising: a flexible elongated catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein; a flexible elongate member, slideably disposed in the lumen, and having a distal end spaced from a distal end of the lumen in a retractable position to form a distal bolus chamber and slideable in the lumen to express a bolus; and a reservoir having a distal portion located proximate the bolus chamber and being configured to provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the bolus chamber; charging the catheter by placing a bolus of the fluid in the bolus chamber; inserting the distal end of the charged catheter having the bolus of fluid in the bolus chamber into a vascular vessel; intravascularly steering the charged catheter through the vascular vessel using a visualization of a position of the charged catheter in the vascular vessel to advance the distal end of the charged catheter proximate to a treatment site; and grasping the proximal end of the flexible elongate member and sliding the flexible elongate member distally within the lumen to express the bolus of fluid from the distal end of the catheter into the vascular vessel.