Systems and methods for thrombolysis and delivery of an agent

Abstract

A method for delivering an agent including providing an aspiration catheter, inserting a distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that an open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus, and injecting an agent through a supply lumen of the aspiration catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for delivering an agent comprising:
 providing an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:
 a supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall; 
 an aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end; and 
 at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen, the at least one orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen; 
   inserting the distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus; and   injecting an agent through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern of the agent generally flows in a first direction out of the at least one orifice and against the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen, whereby after the spray pattern of the agent reaches the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen the majority of the spray pattern of the agent flows in a second direction distally out the open end of the aspiration lumen and adjacent the thrombus, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the injecting step comprises avoiding, reducing, or eliminating the application of negative pressure on the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the injecting step comprises hand injection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the hand injection utilizes a syringe. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the agent comprises a lytic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent comprises a contrast agent.