Implantable catheter and method of use

Abstract

An implantable catheter comprises a flexible elongated catheter body having an inflatable balloon positioned near its distal end. At least one distal delivery port is located distal of the balloon and at least one proximal delivery port is located proximal of the balloon. The balloon and the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected in fluid communication with individual lumens. The lumen connected to the balloon is connected to a balloon inflation port at the proximal end of the catheter. The lumens connected to the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected to distal and proximal injection ports. Preferably, the balloon inflation port and the distal and proximal injection ports are all built into an integrated port assembly adapted for implantation under the skin of a medical patient. In use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted and fed into a passageway such as a blood vessel until the balloon and delivery ports lie within a region of interest. The port assembly is then implanted under the patient's skin. Once in place, the balloon can be inflated to occlude the flow of fluid through the passageway, and therapeutic agents can be delivered either distal or proximal of the balloon by injection into the appropriate injection port. It is believed that the catheter is particularly suited to the delivery of hepatocytes and an anticoagulant during a course of cell therapy directed to a patient's liver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.