Patent ID: 8795219

Claim:
A system for removing blood containing contrast dye, comprising: an outer catheter having opposed proximal and distal ends; an inner catheter coaxially disposed within the outer catheter, the inner catheter having a proximal end and a distal end projecting from the distal end of the outer catheter, the inner catheter defining an inner lumen, an annular outer lumen being defined between the inner catheter and the outer catheter; a selectively inflatable balloon mounted on the outer catheter adjacent the distal end thereof; a valve assembly manifold having first, second, third and fourth ports, the selectively inflatable balloon being in releasable fluid communication with the first port through an inflation line, the proximal end of the outer catheter being in releasable fluid communication with the second port for selective aspiration of the outer lumen, and the proximal end of the inner catheter being in releasable fluid communication with the third port for selective aspiration of the inner lumen; means for selectively inflating and deflating the selectively inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the manifold; a conduit mounted within the manifold, the conduit being in fluid communication with the first, second, third and fourth ports; a dual-headed plunger slidably disposed within the conduit for selectively and releasably sealing the first, second and third ports, the plunger being slidable between a first position sealing the second and third ports from communication with the fourth port, and a second position placing the second and third ports in fluid communication with the fourth port; and means for selectively providing negative pressure within the conduit through the fourth port, wherein, contrast dye is injectable into coronary arteries of a patient through the inner and outer catheters when the plunger is in the first position, the plunger being moved to the second position when the balloon is inflated in the coronary sinus so that negative pressure applied to the fourth port aspirates the contrast dye through the inner and outer lumens and through the second and third ports into the conduit for removal through the fourth port, the plunger returning to the first position when the balloon is deflated.