Systems and methods for removing plaque from a blood vessel

Abstract

Systems and methods for removing accumulated plaque in a blood vessel of a patient. Ferrofluids are introduced locally via a catheter, a micro-catheter, or intravenously to the bloodstream of a patient. The ferrofluids are magnetically manipulated or moved throughout the blood vessels of the patient by an external magnetic field generator until the intended accumulated plaque is broken up and removed. The external magnetic field generator, which can be stationary or portable, creates a vortex, high velocity jets or other motion within the ferrofluids, by moving or rotating at least one magnet provided within the magnetic field generator. The vortex, high velocity jets or other motion of the ferrofluids, are used to break-up and remove the accumulated plaque from the blood vessel and to polish the interior surface of the blood vessel after the plaque has been removed therefrom. Drugs or abrasive particles, or both, may be incorporated with the ferrofluids and delivered to the bloodstream to help break-up and remove the accumulated plaque as well. Upon removal of the plaque and polishing of the blood vessel, magnetic components of the ferrofluids may remain in the patient or may be recaptured and magnetically removed from the bloodstream.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.