US 7,063,714 B2 · Apparatus and methods for treating stroke and controlling cerebral flow characteristics

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter(s).

Claims22

Dependent claims

Apparatus suitable for manipulating cerebral blood flow characteristics, the apparatus comprising:

a catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, and an occlusive element affixed to the distal end, the occlusive element having an opening that communicates with the lumen, the occlusive element having a contracted position (configured for transluminal retrograde insertion via the descending aorta and an expanded position wherein the occlusive element occludes antegrade flow in a carotid artery;) and
a flow control device having proximal and distal ends and a flow control element disposed at the distal end, (the flow control device configured for insertion, separately from the catheter, via a subclavian artery brachiocephalic trunk so that the flow control device, when deployed, inhibits flow to vertebral and common carotid arteries, thereby controlling mid-cerebral artery flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for treating stroke and controlling cerebral flow characteristics

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for treating stroke and controlling cerebral flow characteristics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22