Rapid perfusion devices and methods

Abstract

A microcatheter having an active segment reperfuses occluded blood vessels above the junction of the subclavian artery and common carotid artery. The microcatheter is used to penetrate emboli. Once an embolus is penetrated, the active segment of the microcatheter is activated, causing it to expand radially and thereby open a channel in the embolus. Thus, a channel for restored blood flow is created. The blood's natural lytic action further degraded the embolus in some cases. Therapeutic agents may be administered through the microcatheter to aid in the reperfusion process.

1 . A microcatheter device, comprising, in combination:
 a first segment;   a second segment;   a radially expandable active segment connecting the first segment to the second segment and having an unexpanded state and an expanded state;   an activation member connected to the second segment, wherein the activation member is configured to radially expand and retract the active segment.   
   
   
       2 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , wherein the activation member allows a user to deploy the active segment. 
   
   
       3 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , wherein the activation member is configured to control the relative distance between the first segment and the second segment. 
   
   
       4 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , wherein the activation member comprises a hollow lumen. 
   
   
       5 . The microcatheter device of  claim 4 , wherein the hollow lumen of the activation member is configured to receive a guidewire therein. 
   
   
       6 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , wherein the activation member comprises a coil. 
   
   
       7 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , wherein the active segment comprises a mesh. 
   
   
       8 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of revascularization ports disposed in at least one of the first segment and the second segment. 
   
   
       9 . The microcatheter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lumen configured to deliver at least one therapeutic agent. 
   
   
       10 . A method comprising, in combination:
 providing a microcatheter having at least a proximal segment, a distal segment, an active segment between the proximal segment and the distal segment, an activation member attached to the distal segment, and a guidewire;   delivering the guidewire to an embolus;   crossing the embolus with the guidewire;   advancing the microcatheter along the guidewire, whereby the active segment is aligned with the embolus;   radially expanding the active segment.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising restoring perfusion within a vessel containing the embolus. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein radially expanding the active segment comprises applying tension to the activation member. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein radially expanding the active segment comprises causing a distance between the proximal segment and the distal segment to decrease. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein radially expanding the active segment comprises shortening the longitudinal length of the activation member. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein radially expanding the active segment comprises allowing the activation member to transition from an extended state to a native state, the native state having a shorter longitudinal length than the extended state. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the embolus is above the juncture of the subclavian artery and common carotid artery. 
   
   
       17 . An improved medial device, comprising, in combination:
 a proximal segment;   a distal segment;   an active segment having an expanded state and an unexpanded state, wherein the active segment is connected to the proximal segment at a distal end thereof and to the distal segment at a proximal end thereof;   an activation member having a shortened state and an extended state, wherein the activation member is connected to the active segment at a proximal end and a distal end thereof and disposed concentrically within the active segment, wherein the activation member is configured to radially expand and retract the active segment.   
   
   
       18 . The improved medial device of  claim 17 , wherein the shortened state of the activation member corresponds to the expanded state of the active segment and wherein the extended state of the activation member corresponds to the unexpanded state of the active segment. 
   
   
       19 . The improved medial device of  claim 18 , wherein the activation member is serpentine in the shortened state and substantially straight in the extended state. 
   
   
       20 . The improved medial device of  claim 18 , wherein the activation member is a coiled wire selectably providing each of the shortened state and the extended state. 
   
   
       21 . The improved medial device of  claim 18 , wherein the activation member comprises a hollow lumen. 
   
   
       22 . The improved medial device of  claim 21 , further comprising a guidewire advanceable within the hollow lumen of the activation member.