Method for vascular occlusive therapy in gastrointestinal system

Abstract

A method for treating a blood vessel in a wall forming a gastrointestinal tract of a body of a mammal. An occlusion is formed in the vessel so as to terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion. A method for treating a varix in a gastrointestinal wall, a method of treating an ulcer in a gastrointestinal wall, and a method for treating a hemorrhoid in a rectal wall are also provided.

1 . A method for use in a body of a mammal having an internal wall forming a gastrointestinal tract to treat a blood vessel in the wall comprising forming an occlusion in the vessel so as to terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of forming an occlusion in the vessel includes introducing solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent to form a non-biodegradable solid in the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water insoluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water soluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the introducing step includes the steps of extending a needle into vessel and supplying the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent through the needle into the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the introducing step includes the step of introducing the needle through the mouth and into the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the vessel is an enlarged varix in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal sphincter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the vessel is an ulcer in the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the introducing step includes the step of introducing the needle through the anus and into the anal canal of the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the vessel is a hemorrhoid in the anal canal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vessel is an enlarged varix in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal sphincter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vessel is an ulcer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of forming at least one implant in the wall in the vicinity of the gastrointestinal tract to create a tamponade. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vessel is a hemorrhoid in the anal canal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of ligating a portion of the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of introducing a clotting agent into the vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of cauterizing the vessel. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating a varix in a gastrointestinal wall of a body of a mammal having a blood vessel in the wall leading to the varix comprising forming an occlusion in the vessel so as to limit blood flow to the varix. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of forming an occlusion in the vessel includes introducing a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent to form a non-biodegradable solid in the vessel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water insoluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water soluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the introducing step includes the steps of extending a needle into vessel and supplying the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent through the needle into the vessel. 
     
     
         24 . A method for treating an ulcer in a gastrointestinal wall of a body of a mammal having a blood vessel in the wall leading to the ulcer comprising forming an occlusion in the vessel so as to limit blood flow to the ulcer 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the step of forming an occlusion in the vessel includes introducing a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent to form a non-biodegradable solid in the vessel. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water insoluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water soluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the introducing step includes the steps of extending a needle into vessel and supplying the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent through the needle into the vessel. 
     
     
         29 . A method for treating a hemorrhoid in a rectal wall of a body of a mammal having a blood vessel in the wall leading to the hemorrhoid comprising forming an occlusion in the vessel so as to limit blood flow to the hemorrhoid. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the step of forming an occlusion in the vessel includes introducing a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent to form a non-biodegradable solid in the vessel. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water insoluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water soluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the introducing step includes the steps of extending a needle into vessel and supplying the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent through the needle into the vessel. 
     
     
         34 . A method for use in a body of a mammal having an internal wall forming a gastrointestinal tract to treat a blood vessel in the wall comprising introducing a material through the gastrointestinal tract into the vessel to create an occlusion in the vessel and thus limit blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water insoluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent has a composition comprising from about 2.5 to about 8.0 weight percent of a biocompatible polymer, from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water soluble biocompatible contrast agent and from about 52 to about 87.5 weight percent of a biocompatible solvent. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the introducing step includes the steps of extending a needle into vessel and supplying the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent through the needle into the vessel.