Embolization microcatheter

Abstract

Microcatheter for delivering a substance (e.g., infusion agent including embolization material and/or contrast enhancing material) in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part. Includes a single lumen surrounded by tubular wall having outer diameter and opened at both ends; tubular wall proximal portion is connectable to a pressure source and reservoir containing infusion agent, and tubular wall distal portion ends with a tip; the tubular wall distal portion includes an infusion agent flow disruption section configured to disrupt passage therethrough of incoming retrograded flow of infusion agent, during continuous delivery of infusion suspension from the reservoir to the tip. Disclosed are methods using the microcatheter for performing local embolization in a small blood vessel feeding a (for example, cancerous) target bodily part, and for delivering infusion agent in a small blood vessel towards such target bodily part. Also disclosed are devices and methods for filtering non-target infusion agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A kit comprising:
 an embolization microcatheter comprising:   (a) a tip having a distal outlet configured for allowing outflow of embolization; and   (b) a filter section comprising a plurality of openings formed around and along a wall of said filter section; and   embolization particles;   wherein the filter section is configured for allowing selective lateral outflow of fluid while preventing outflow of the embolization particles.   
     
     
         2 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter section is more flexible than that of other wall portions of the embolization microcatheter's wall. 
     
     
         3 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the microcatheter has an outer diameter equal to or less than about 1 mm. 
     
     
         4 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the embolization particles have a diameter ranging from 100 microns to 1500 microns 
     
     
         5 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein a width of each of said plurality of openings is equal to or less than about 100 microns 
     
     
         6 ) The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a suspension fluid. 
     
     
         7 ) The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the embolization particles are suspended in the suspension fluid. 
     
     
         8 ) The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a contrast enhancing agent. 
     
     
         9 ) The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the contrast enhancing agent is suspended in the suspension fluid. 
     
     
         10 ) The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the contrast enhancing agent comprises lipiodol, iodixanol or iohexol. 
     
     
         11 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the embolization particles comprises non-spherical particles, or microspheres. 
     
     
         12 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein a total opened cross section of the plurality of openings is equal to or greater than a cross section of the distal outlet. 
     
     
         13 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the microcatheter is configured as a single integrated structure. 
     
     
         14 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings is in the form of slits or pores. 
     
     
         15 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings have a circular or rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         16 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality openings comprises burst slit configured to open when under a predetermined pressure or force. 
     
     
         17 ) The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings comprises constantly open slit.