Systems and methods for thrombolysis and delivery of an agent

Abstract

A system for aspirating thrombus and delivering an agent including an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen and a supply lumen, and at least one orifice at or adjacent a distal end of the supply lumen and 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 such that the spray pattern is caused to impinge on a deflection element disposed opposite the at least one orifice when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment, and such that the spray pattern upon impinging on the deflecting elements is caused to deflect, transforming into at least a substantially distally-oriented flow configured to exit the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for aspirating thrombus and delivering an agent comprising:
 an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen and a supply lumen; and   at least one orifice at or adjacent a distal end of the supply lumen and 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 such that the spray pattern is caused to impinge on a deflection element disposed opposite the at least one orifice when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment, and such that the spray pattern upon impinging on the deflecting elements is caused to deflect, transforming into at least a substantially distally-oriented flow configured to exit the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distally-oriented flow comprises a jet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray pattern comprises a jet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray pattern comprises at least two jets. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is formed with the aspiration catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection elements is a separate component secure to the interior wall surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a ramp. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a change in radius of the interior wall surface in relation to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a forward ramp and a reverse ramp. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is angled. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is curvilinear. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a concave contour. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a distally-orientate ramp. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a convex surface. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises an adjustable surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the deflection element comprise a balloon. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element comprises a sloped surface when viewed from the side. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection element is configured to at least partially create a substantially proximally-oriented component. 
     
     
         20 . 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 such that the spray pattern is caused to impinge on a deflection element disposed opposite the at least one orifice when a distal end of the aspiration catheter; 
   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 deflection element within the aspiration lumen, whereby after the spray pattern of the agent reaches the deflection element 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.