Systems and methods for treating pulmonary edema

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for the treatment of edema. In one aspect a method for implanting an indwelling catheter within a vein of a patient is provided. The catheter can extend from a position upstream of at least one outflow port of a duct of the lymph system to a terminal position downstream of the at least one outflow port. In use, a first restriction can be created within the vein proximal to a distal region of the catheter. The first restriction can define a localized low pressure zone distal of the restriction and within a portion of the vein housing the catheter. The low pressure zone can be adjacent to the at least one outflow port to enable fluid to pass from the at least one lymph duct outflow port into the vein.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating heart failure in a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing a catheter apparatus comprising one or more restrictors into a superior vena cava of a patient; and   operating the catheter apparatus to regulate venous blood return through the superior vena cava, wherein operating at least comprises deploying the one or more restrictors within the superior vena cava to at least partially occlude flow through the superior vena cava, thereby treating heart failure in the patient.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more restrictors fully restrict flow through the superior vena cava. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the catheter apparatus is advanced through a subclavian or jugular vein. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the catheter apparatus further comprises one or more pressure sensors. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more restrictors are adjusted based on feedback from the one or more pressure sensors. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method is performed while maintaining intravascular pressure. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the catheter apparatus is operably coupled to a control module. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the control module receives feedback from one or more sensors of the catheter apparatus and controls the one or more restrictors based on the feedback from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more restrictors are one or more balloons. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the one or more balloons are one or more compliant or semi-compliant balloons. 
     
     
         29 . A system treating heart failure in a patient, the system comprising:
 a catheter apparatus comprising one or more restrictors and one or more sensors; and   a control module operable coupled to the catheter apparatus, wherein the control module receives feedback from the one or more sensors and controls the one or more restrictors based on the feedback from the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the control module adjusts the one or more restrictors based on feedback from the one or more pressure sensors. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control module adjusts the one or more restrictors to at least partially or fully restrict flow through a superior vena cava. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the one or more restrictors are one or more balloons. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more balloons are one or more compliant or semi-compliant balloons. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the system is configured such that the one or more balloons are operably coupled to one or more inflation sources.