Self-deploying vascular occlusion device

Abstract

The present invention provides a cardiac vascular occlusion system which includes inner and outer guide catheters and an occluding member disposed on the inner catheter. The occluding member may be deployed from a compressed to an expanded position to limit retrograde blood flow in a body lumen. The occluding member may be used when injecting a contrast agent into the body lumen.

1 . A method for delivering contrast agent to a coronary vessel in a patient comprising:
 guiding an outer catheter into the vicinity of the coronary vessel, the outer catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an outer tubular wall defining an outer lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;   guiding an inner catheter through the outer lumen, the inner catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner tubular wall defining an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the inner catheter further includes an occluding member secured to the inner tubular wall, the occluding member being retained in a compressed position when disposed within the outer lumen;   deploying the occluding member to an expanded position by moving either the inner catheter or the outer catheter longitudinally such that the occluding member is moved beyond the distal end of the outer catheter and into the expanded position to restrict retrograde blood flow; and   delivering a contrast agent to the coronary vessel while the occluding member is in the expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the inner catheter is guided through the coronary sinus and distally of the distal end of the outer catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contrast agent is delivered to the body lumen site through a lumen in the inner or outer catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the occluding member comprises exposing the occluding member to blood flowing through the coronary vessel, the blood flow causing the occluding member to expand. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the occluding member further comprises a ring that is operably connected to a stylet, and deploying the occluding member comprises moving the stylet in an axial direction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the occluding member has a flat shape configured to block blood flow. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the occluding member has a concave shape configured to redirect blood flow in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sub-selecting a vessel for cardiac lead placement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising withdrawing the occluding member and directing the inner catheter into the sub-selected vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising guiding a cardiac lead through the inner catheter and into the sub-selected vessel. 
     
     
         11 . A method for delivering contrast agent to a coronary vessel in a patient comprising:
 guiding an outer catheter into the vicinity of the coronary vessel, the outer catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an outer tubular wall defining an outer lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;   guiding an inner catheter through the outer lumen, the inner catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner tubular wall defining an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the inner catheter further includes an inflatable occluding member secured to the inner tubular wall;   deploying the inflatable occluding member to an expanded position by inflating the inflatable occluding member such that the inflatable occluding member restricts retrograde blood flow; and   delivering a contrast agent to the coronary vessel while the inflatable occluding member is in the expanded position.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising guiding a cardiac lead through either the inner or outer lumen for implantation in the vicinity of the patient's heart. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the inner catheter is guided through the coronary sinus and distally of the distal end of the outer catheter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the contrast agent is delivered to the body lumen site through a lumen in the inner or outer catheter. 
     
     
         15 . A device for occluding a blood vessel, the device comprising:
 a guide having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween adapted to deliver a substance to the blood vessel;   an occluding member including a frame coupled to the guide and a membrane attached to the frame, wherein the occluding member is adapted to actuate from a compressed position to an expanded position at least partially in response to blood flow in the blood vessel; and   a tendon coupled to the guide and extending from the proximal end to near the distal end, the tendon having a tendon distal end coupled to the frame and adapted to at least partially actuate the occluding member.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the tendon is disposed within the lumen or within a separate lumen in the guide. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the frame includes a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of struts connecting the first and second rings, and further wherein the tendon distal end is coupled to one of the first and second rings. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the first ring is axially fixed with respect to the inner guide and the second ring is slidably coupled to the inner guide, and further wherein the tendon is coupled to the second ring. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the inner guide comprises a guidewire or a catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the inner guide is selected from the group consisting of an intravascular ultrasound device, an optical coherence tomography device, a photodynamic therapy device and an ablation device.