Novel approahces to venous occlusion for embolus management

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for transiently occluding a vein that is downstream of an organ such as the brain, where the occlusion increases blood pressure within the vein, and where the increased pressure stimulates a reflex that reduces entry of emboli into that organ.

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         5 . A system for use in a mammalian subject, comprising:
 an occluding device that is configured for transient occlusion of a vein that is downstream of an organ, in combination with   a monitoring device that monitors or detects emboli that originate in an artery that is upstream of the organ, wherein the monitoring device responds to the emboli with a signal, and   a controller that confers a relationship between the signal and the occluding device.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the monitoring device monitors or detects the generation, release, or number, of emboli. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the transient occlusion comprises a region or point of transient occlusion, further comprising a gauge that monitors blood pressure in a region of the circulatory system between the organ and the region or point of transient occlusion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the occluding device comprises a non-porous material, that is non-porous to blood flowing from the upstream side of the occluding device to the downstream side of the occluding device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the occluding device comprises a vascular clamp that can be applied to the outside of the vein. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the occluding device comprises a cuff. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the occluding device comprises an occluding balloon that is capable of transiently occluding the vein. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the occluding device is an occluding balloon that is capable of transiently occluding the vein,
 wherein the balloon is coupled to the controller,   wherein the controller monitors venous pressure, and   wherein the controller deflates the balloon if the pressure is too high or inflates the balloon if the pressure is too low.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a pressure safety-release valve for releasing venous pressure if the pressure is too high. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a filter in an artery or vein that traps emboli, fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, calcium particles, or tissue fragments. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the monitoring device monitors the frequency of emboli. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising an occluding balloon and a controller, wherein the occluding balloon is capable to transiently occlude the vein, wherein the balloon is coupled to the controller, wherein the controller maintains inflation of the balloon when the controller detects an elevated frequency of emboli. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the relationship is that the controller maintains inflation of the balloon when the controller detects an elevated frequency of emboli. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the organ is the brain, kidney, or arm. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the organ is the brain and the vein is the internal jugular vein, or the organ is the kidney and the vein is the renal vein.