Patent ID: 6178968
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method of blocking side branches which emanate from an anatomical passageway, the method comprising:inserting an elongated, flexible device into an anatomical passageway, the device including a catheter body and first and second lumens extending longitudinally therethrough, the catheter body having a distal end near which is located a side opening communicating with the second lumen;positioning an endoscope in a distally advanced position within the first lumen, the endoscope including a distal image receiving port that is positioned at the distal end of the catheter body in the distally advanced position of the endoscope, the endoscope occluding the side opening when in the distally advanced position;advancing the catheter body, distal end first, through the anatomical passageway while observing the visual image provided by the endoscope;stopping the advancement of the device when the visual image of the endoscope indicates that the distal end of the endoscope is adjacent a side branch emanating from the anatomical passageway;retracting the endoscope to a proximally retracted position within the first lumen to expose the side opening to the anatomical side branch, the distal image receiving port being positioned proximal with respect to the side opening in the proximally retracted position of the endoscope to enable viewing of the anatomical side branch; andpassing an embolization member from the second lumen out of the side opening and into the anatomical side branch.