Methods and devices for retrieval of a medical agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site

Abstract

Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

1 . A method for removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site, said method comprising: 
 introducing a non-occlusive aspiration element to a target aspiration site adjacent said physiological efferent fluid collection site;    introducing an occlusion element to a target occlusion site proximal of the target aspiration site; and    activating said aspiration element when said agent is at least predicted to be present in said target site to selectively remove said agent from said physiological efferent fluid collection site.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said physiological efferent fluid collection site is a vascular fluid collection site.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said vascular fluid collection site is a cardiovascular fluid collection site.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said cardiovascular fluid collection site is a coronary cardiovascular fluid collection site.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said coronary cardiovascular fluid collection site is a coronary sinus.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said physiological efferent fluid collection site is present in a mammal.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said agent is a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said agent is a diagnostic agent.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said diagnostic agent is a contrast agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising activating said occlusion element to prevent flow of fluid proximally of the target occlusion site.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said occlusion element is configured to abut a tissue structure positioned in between said target aspiration site and said target occlusion site.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said physiological efferent fluid collection site is a coronary sinus, said tissue structure is the coronary sinus os and said target occlusion site is downstream of said coronary sinus os.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said occlusion element is configured to abut a tissue structure adjacent said physiological efferent fluid collection site.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said physiological efferent fluid collection site is a coronary sinus, said tissue structure is a wall of said coronary sinus and said target occlusion site is upstream of the coronary sinus os.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said occlusion element is inflatable and said activating said occlusion element comprises inflating said occlusion element.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said occlusion element is expandable and said activating said occlusion element comprises expanding said occlusion element.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said activating said occlusion element is accomplished passively.  
     
     
         19 . A system for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site, said system comprising: 
 (a) a non-occlusive aspiration lumen;    (b) an aspiration mechanism operatively connected to said non-occlusive aspiration lumen;    (c) an actuation controller element for controlling actuation of said aspiration mechanism; and    (d) an occlusion mechanism operatively connected to said non-occlusive aspiration lumen and positioned proximally of said aspiration mechanism.    
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said occlusion mechanism is activated passively upon actuation of said aspiration mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein said occlusion mechanism comprises a parachute configuration.  
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said occlusion mechanism comprises an inflatable member.  
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said aspiration lumen comprises an inflation port by which said inflatable member is inflated.  
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a sheath extendable over said aspiration lumen and said occlusion mechanism, and wherein said occlusion mechanism comprises an expandable member, wherein removal of said sheath expands said expandable member.  
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a mechanism for advancing said occlusion member over said aspiration lumen.  
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said occlusion member is fixed to said aspiration lumen.  
     
     
         27 . A kit for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site, said kit comprising: 
 (a) an aspiration element comprising: 
 (i) a non-occlusive aspiration lumen;  
 (ii) an aspiration mechanism operatively connected to said non-occlusive aspiration lumen;  
 (iii) an actuation controller element for controlling actuation of said aspiration element; and  
 (iv) an occlusion mechanism operatively connected to said non-occlusive aspiration lumen and positioned proximally of said aspiration mechanism; and  
   (b) instructions for practicing the method of  claim 1.