Endovascular apparatus for perfusing organs in a body

Abstract

In one representative embodiment, a method of perfusing organs in a patient's body is provided. The method comprises isolating the visceral arteries and the visceral veins from blood circulating through the patient's heart and perfusing the visceral arteries, the visceral veins, and the abdominal organs with a perfusion fluid that is fluidly separated from the blood circulating through the patient's heart. While the visceral arteries and the visceral veins are isolated, and the visceral arteries, the visceral veins, and the abdominal organs are being perfused, the patient's blood is allowed to continue to circulate through the heart.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A perfusion stent implantable within a body lumen, the stent comprising:
 a radially compressible and expandable, elongated body comprising first and second end portions and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion to the second end portion;   the first and second end portions having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion when the body is in a radially expanded state, thereby defining an annular perfusion space between the first and second end portions and around the intermediate portion, wherein the first and second end portions comprise a cylindrical first section and a tapered second section positioned proximal to the first section when in the radially expanded state;   a central lumen extending through the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion; and   a perfusion lumen extending at least partially through the first end portion and having a distal opening in communication with the perfusion space;   wherein when the elongated body is in the radially expanded state within the body lumen and the first and second end portions are engaged with an inner wall of the body lumen, the central lumen is fluidly separated from the perfusion space, and   wherein a proximal end of the elongated body is connected to a recovery wire.   
     
     
         2 . The perfusion stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable sheath. 
     
     
         3 . The perfusion stent of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises a self-expandable frame. 
     
     
         4 . The perfusion stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a perfusion conduit extending at least partially through the first end portion, the perfusion conduit defining the perfusion lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The perfusion stent of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises an inlet and an outlet of the central lumen and a surface that is non-porous to blood surrounding the central lumen and extending longitudinally from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The perfusion stent of  claim 3 , wherein the elongated body comprises a liner attached to the self-expandable frame, the liner defining the surface that is non-porous to blood. 
     
     
         7 . The perfusion stent of  claim 3 , wherein the self-expandable frame of the first and second end portions comprises angled struts. 
     
     
         8 . The perfusion stent of  claim 6 , wherein the self-expandable frame comprises a micropatterned Nitinol film and the liner comprises polymeric film. 
     
     
         9 . The perfusion stent of  claim 6 , wherein the liner is secured to the self-expandable frame by an adhesive or suturing. 
     
     
         10 . The perfusion stent of  claim 6 , wherein the liner is located outside of the self-expandable frame, inside of the self-expandable frame, or on both the outside and inside of the self-expandable frame. 
     
     
         11 . The perfusion stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions comprise a positioning marker. 
     
     
         12 . The perfusion stent of  claim 11 , wherein the positioning marker is a radiopaque marker. 
     
     
         13 . The perfusion stent of  claim 11 , wherein the positioning marker comprises a passive or active electromagnetic wave emitter. 
     
     
         14 . A method of selectively administering a therapeutic agent to an organ of a subject comprising implanting within a body lumen the perfusion stent of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the organ is a visceral organ. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the therapeutic agent is toxic to the central nervous system of the subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method comprises perfusing the organ with a solution. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the solution is blood.