Apparatus and methods for reducing embolization during treatment of carotid artery disease

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return sheath with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

1 . Apparatus for removing emboli during an angioplasty or stenting procedure, the apparatus comprising:
 a catheter having proximal and distal ends, a first lumen extending therethrough, a blood outlet port in communication with the first lumen, and a distal occlusion element disposed on the distal end of the catheter, the catheter adapted to be disposed in a patient's carotid artery; and   a self-expanding occlusion element having proximal and distal ends, a retrieval wire coupled to the proximal end of the self-expanding occlusion element and an atraumatic tip coupled to the distal end of the self-expanding occlusion element, wherein the self-expanding occlusion element further comprises a contracted state and a deployed state in which the self-expanding occlusion element is configured to occlude flow in a vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the self-expanding occlusion element is configured to occlude flow in an external carotid artery in the deployed state. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the distal occlusion element is an inflatable member. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a venous return sheath having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therethrough, and a blood inlet port in communication with the lumen; and   tubing that couples the blood outlet port of the catheter to the blood inlet port of the venous return sheath.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a blood filter disposed between the blood outlet port of the catheter and the blood inlet port of the venous return sheath. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a dilator having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the dilator is configured to be disposed within the first lumen of the catheter. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the self-expanding occlusion element is adapted to be disposed within the lumen of the dilator in the contracted state. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the dilator comprises a slot at the distal end that is configured to permit movement of the retrieval wire within the slot. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a push member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the push member is configured for longitudinal movement within the lumen of the dilator. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the distal end of the push member is configured to abut the proximal end of the self-expanding occlusion element within the lumen of the dilator. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the self-expanding element comprises a taper. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second lumen, wherein the retrieval wire is configured for longitudinal movement within the second lumen. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the second lumen merges with the first lumen along a portion of the distal end of the catheter.