Systems and methods for thrombolysis and delivery of an agent

Abstract

A system for aspirating thrombus including an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen, and a mandrel having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a curve greater than 90°, and including a concave portion configured to engage a distal end of the aspiration catheter, wherein the orifice is translatable in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration catheter by traction applied on the mandrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for aspirating thrombus comprising:
 an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface;   an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen; and   a mandrel having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a curve greater than 90°, and including a concave portion configured to engage a distal end of the aspiration catheter, wherein the orifice is translatable in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration catheter by traction applied on the mandrel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray pattern comprises a jet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the concave portion engages the distal end of the aspiration catheter a portion of the distal end is disposed outside of the aspiration lumen and a portion of the distal end is disposed within the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end comprises a plurality of curved portions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a grasping tool configured to grasp an end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end has a preformed shape. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel is configured to be rotatable such that the curve is capable of disrupting at least a portion of a thrombus. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray pattern traverses the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice is located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice is located distally of a wall of the aspiration catheter opposite the orifice. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the open distal end comprises a first portion that is more distal a second portion. 
     
     
         12 . A system for aspirating thrombus comprising:
 an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface;   an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment; and   an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including an enlarged portion, wherein the elongate wire is configured to be rotatable such that the enlarged portion is capable of disrupting at least a portion of a thrombus.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least a portion of the thrombus comprises a fibrous cap of the thrombus. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the spray pattern comprises a jet. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein when the concave portion engages the distal end of the aspiration catheter a portion of the distal end is disposed outside of the aspiration lumen and a portion of the distal end is disposed within the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the distal end comprises a plurality of curved portions. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a grasping tool configured to grasp an end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the distal end has a preformed shape. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the orifice is configured to direct the spray pattern obliquely in relation to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the supply lumen is configured to transport at least one of a lytic agent or a contrast agent.