Apparatus and method for removing obstructions in bodily organs or cavities

A method for removing a soluble obstruction in a bodily organ or cavity, comprising:

• inserting a catheter into said organ or cavity, said catheter having at least two fluid conduits each communicating with source and receiver reservoir means for containing a fluid suitable for dissolving said obstruction, said catheter, reservoir means and conduits forming a fluid circuit;
• providing a pump in each of said conduits for moving said fluid through said conduits between said reservoir and said organ or cavity;
• detecting and measuring fluid pressure in said organ or cavity, said pressure being classified as high, normal or low according to predetermined physiological criteria;
• causing said pumps by means responsive to said high, normal or low pressure to produce forward fluid flow in said circuit when said pressure is low or normal and to halt or reverse said fluid flow when said pressure is high, said fluid thus at normal or low pressure contacting and dissolving said obstruction.

Apparatus for removal of gallstones from the gallbladder, comprising:

• a reservoir for containing fluid capable of dissolving gallstones;
• first and second fluid conduits each having one end communicating with said reservoir and another end communicating with the gallbladder;
• pump means comprising first and second pumps operatively associated respectively with said first and second conduits for moving said fluid in said first conduit in the infusion direction from said reservoir into the gallbladder, and for moving said fluid in said second conduit in the aspiration direction from the gallbladder to said reservoir;
• whereby, by simultaneous infusion and aspiration, continuous withdrawal of said fluid after exposure to said gallstones can be maintained at a substantial rate over prolonged periods;
• said apparatus including a control system for selectively inhibiting infusion, said control system including means for continuously monitoring pressure within said gallbladder, means for determining the relationship of said pressure with respect to a desired range based on predetermined physiological criteria, and means for selectively inhibiting infusion in response to said pressure being above said desired range.