Systems and methods for arterial access, diagnosis, and therapy

A method for accessing one or more arteries in a head and neck area, comprising:

• providing a system comprising:
• an access sheath comprising a tubular shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sheath lumen extending therethrough and configured for placement of an elongate medical device, the distal end of the shaft configured for placement through a puncture an arterial wall of a superficial temporal artery of a subject and to extend retrogradely within a section of the superficial temporal artery of the subject, the proximal end of the shaft comprising a first connection portion, wherein an intermediate portion of the sheath is located between the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the shaft maintains a U-shape of the sheath lumen at the intermediate portion during placement of the elongate medical device and during a medical procedure;
• a resilient access-extension tube having an extension lumen extending therethrough, the extension lumen having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the extension lumen configured to hydraulically couple to the sheath lumen at the first connection portion;
• and
• a sealable opening carried by the access-extension tube and spaced from the distal end of the extension lumen, the sealable opening configured to allow insertion of the elongate medical device into the extension lumen for advancement through the extension lumen when the access-extension tube is coupled to the access sheath, for passage through the extension tube and the sheath lumen, and into the superficial temporal artery of the subject;
• creating the puncture in the arterial wall of the superficial temporal artery of the subject;
• inserting through the puncture the distal end of the shaft of the access sheath;
• adjusting the shaft such that the distal end extends retrogradely within a portion of the superficial temporal artery of the subject;
• hydraulically coupling the distal end of the extension lumen of the access-extension tube to the first connection portion;
• inserting the elongate medical device through the sealable opening and into the extension lumen and advancing the elongate medical device through the extension lumen and the sheath lumen, and advancing the elongate medical device retrogradely through at least some of the superficial temporal artery of the subject;
• and
• performing the medical procedure utilizing the elongate medical device within the arterial system of the subject.

A method for accessing one or more arteries in a head and neck area, comprising:

• creating a puncture in an arterial wall of a superficial temporal artery of a subject;
• inserting through the puncture a distal end of a tubular shaft of an access sheath, the shaft further comprising a proximal end, and a sheath lumen extending therethrough and configured for placement of an elongate medical device, the sheath comprising an intermediate portion located between the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the shaft maintains a curved shape of the sheath lumen at the intermediate portion during placement of the elongate medical device and during a medical procedure;
• and
• inserting the elongate medical device through the sheath lumen, with the sheath lumen at the intermediate portion of the shaft in the curved shape, such that the elongate medical device is delivered retrogradely within a portion of the superficial temporal artery of the subject.