Microvascular obstruction detection and therapy

Abstract

A method of detecting and treating a microvascular obstruction is provided. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided for both detecting the microvascular obstruction and treating or removing the obstruction.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for treating a thrombotic or spasmodic obstruction of a vessel with a treatment agent, the system comprising:
 a. an injector configured to deliver the treatment agent;   b. a treatment catheter fluidly coupled to the injector, wherein said treatment catheter comprises:
 i. two vessel occlusion members, wherein each of the two vessel occlusion members are located on a distal portion of the treatment catheter and are separated so as to span an adjoining, adjacent vessel during a treatment; 
 ii. a plurality of diffusion holes disposed between the two occlusion members and configured to release the treatment agent to the vessel site spanned by the two occlusion members, during treatment; 
 iii. at least two lumens, wherein a first lumen of the at least two lumens is coupled to the two vessel occlusion members to allow for inflation of the two vessel occlusion members, and wherein a second lumen of the at least two lumens is fluidly coupled from the injector to the plurality of diffusion holes and configured to deliver the treatment agent from the injector, through the diffusion holes, and to the vessel; 
 iv. a pressure monitoring element disposed between the two occlusion members and communicatively coupling the treatment catheter to the vessel. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first lumen of the at least two lumens comprises a first vessel occlusion lumen and a second vessel occlusion lumen, wherein the first vessel occlusion lumen is configured for inflation of a first of the two vessel occlusion members, and wherein the second vessel occlusion lumen is configured for inflation of a second of the two vessel occlusion members. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two lumens comprise a third lumen fluidly coupled to the pressure port. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a distance spanned by the two vessel occlusion members is between 2 mm and 5 cm. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure monitoring element further comprises a pressure port fluidly coupled to a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure monitoring element comprises a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the treatment catheter further comprises a guide wire lumen extending at least partially along a length of the treatment catheter and configured to receive a guide wire. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the guide wire lumen is configured for single operator exchange use.