System and method for removing blood containing contrast dye

A method for removing blood containing contrast dye, comprising the steps of:

• providing an inner catheter having a fixed proximal end and a distal free end;
• providing an outer catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner catheter being partially coaxially disposed within the outer catheter defining an annual outer channel between the inner catheter and the outer catheter, the fixed proximal end of the inner catheter being coincident with the proximal end of the outer catheter, the inner catheter partially extending outward from the distal end of the outer catheter defining an annular suction orifice the distal end of the outer catheter and the inner catheter;
• providing a first balloon mounted on the outer catheter adjacent the distal end of the outer catheter;
• providing a second balloon mounted on the inner catheter adjacent the distal free end of the inner catheter, the distal free end extending beyond the second balloon;
• inflating the second balloon to anchor the inner catheter in place in a patient's coronary sinus vein with the distal free end thereof positioned adjacent the patient's lateral vein;
• inflating the first balloon to anchor the outer catheter to seal the ostium of the patient's coronary sinus vein;
• removing blood containing contrast dye from between the first and second balloons by suction through the annular suction orifice;
• and
• deflating the first and second balloons when the blood containing the contrast solution between the first and second balloons has been removed.

A system for removing blood containing contrast dye, comprising:

• an inner catheter having a fixed proximal end and a distal free end;
• an outer catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner catheter being partially coaxially disposed within the outer catheter defining an annual outer channel between the inner catheter and the outer catheter, the fixed proximal end of the inner catheter being coincident with the proximal end of the outer catheter, the inner catheter partially extending outward from the distal end of the outer catheter defining an annular suction orifice the distal end of the outer catheter and the inner catheter, the inner catheter being formed from a softer material than the outer catheter;
• a first balloon mounted on the outer catheter adjacent the distal end of the outer catheter;
• a second balloon mounted on the inner catheter adjacent the distal free end thereof, the distal free end extending beyond the second balloon;
• a first lumen in communication with the first balloon, the first lumen having a first inflation port;
• a second lumen in communication with the second balloon, the second lumen having a second inflation port;
• and
• a third lumen in communication with the annular outer channel and the annular suction orifice for draining blood from between the first and second balloons, said third lumen having a first suction port.