Vasculature navigation systems and methods

Abstract

A vasculature navigation system may include a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end located opposite the proximal end, the dilator comprising a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the dilator defining a proximal portion and a distal portion located opposite the proximal portion. In some embodiments, the vasculature navigation system also includes an access port located at the proximal end of the dilator, a distal port located at the distal end of the dilator, and a hemostasis valve coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator. The hemostasis valve may be configured to control fluid flow between the proximal portion and the distal portion. In some embodiments, a flush port is coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator and located distal to the hemostasis valve, and the flush port is coupled to a fluid supply source.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of navigating a dilator through a patient's vasculature, the method comprising:
 inserting, via an access site, the dilator into the patient's vasculature, wherein the dilator comprises an access port located at a proximal end of the dilator and configured to receive a guidewire, a distal port located at a distal end of the dilator and configured to further receive the guidewire, a hemostasis valve coupled to a proximal portion of the dilator and configured to control fluid flow between the proximal portion and a distal portion, a flush port coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator, and a plurality of microperforations coupled to an exterior surface of the dilator;   injecting fluid through the flush port; and   releasing, via the plurality of microperforations, the fluid, wherein the plurality of microperforations are arranged and configured such that the fluid is released adjacent a wall of the patient's vasculature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein injecting the fluid through the flush port is configured to pressurize the fluid to a pressure sufficient to enable propulsion of the dilator upon release of the fluid through the plurality of microperforations. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dilator comprises a hydrophilic coating located on the exterior surface of the dilator distal to the plurality of microperforations. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising lubricating, via the fluid released through the plurality of microperforations, the hydrophilic coating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein lubricating the hydrophilic coating comprises releasing, substantially continuously, the fluid through the plurality of microperforations. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises heparinized saline. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting, over the dilator, a primary device into the patient's vasculature, wherein the primary device is configured to perform a treatment. 
     
     
         9 . A vasculature navigation system, comprising:
 a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end located opposite the proximal end, the dilator comprising a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the dilator defining a proximal portion and a distal portion located opposite the proximal portion;   an access port located at the proximal end of the dilator, the access port configured to receive a guidewire;   a distal port located at the distal end of the dilator, the distal port configured to further receive the guidewire;   a hemostasis valve coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator, the hemostasis valve configured to control fluid flow between the proximal portion and the distal portion;   a flush port coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator and located distal to the hemostasis valve;   a tapered portion defining at least part of the distal portion of the dilator, wherein an outer surface of the tapered portion tapers downward toward the distal end; and   a hydrophilic coating located on an exterior surface of the dilator, wherein the hydrophilic coating enables navigation of the dilator through a patient's vasculature by reducing friction between the dilator and the patient's vasculature.   
     
     
         10 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrophilic coating is located on the distal portion of the dilator. 
     
     
         11 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 10 , wherein the hydrophilic coating is located on the tapered portion of the dilator. 
     
     
         12 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a fluid supply source coupled to the flush port; and   a fluid located within the fluid supply source and configured to flow from the fluid supply source through the flush port into the dilator.   
     
     
         13 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of microperforations coupled to an exterior surface of the proximal portion of the dilator and configured to release the fluid from the fluid supply source. 
     
     
         14 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid is configured to flow distally from the plurality of microperforations over the hydrophilic coating, thereby lubricating the hydrophilic coating. 
     
     
         15 . A vasculature navigation system, comprising:
 a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end located opposite the proximal end, the dilator comprising a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the dilator defining a proximal portion and a distal portion located opposite the proximal portion;   an access port located at the proximal end of the dilator, the access port configured to receive a guidewire;   a distal port located at the distal end of the dilator, the distal port configured to further receive the guidewire;   a hemostasis valve coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator, the hemostasis valve configured to control fluid flow between the proximal portion and the distal portion;   a flush port coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator and located distal to the hemostasis valve;   a tapered portion defining at least part of the distal portion of the dilator, wherein an outer surface of the tapered portion tapers downward toward the distal end; and   a plurality of microperforations located on an exterior surface of the dilator.   
     
     
         16 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of microperforations is located on the proximal portion of the dilator. 
     
     
         17 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 15 , wherein each microperforation of the plurality of microperforations defines an aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a fluid supply source coupled to the flush port; and   a fluid located within the fluid supply source and configured to flow from the fluid supply source through the flush port into the dilator,   wherein the plurality of microperforations is configured to release the fluid from the fluid supply source.   
     
     
         19 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of microperforations is configured to release a substantially continuous flow of fluid from the fluid supply source. 
     
     
         20 . The vasculature navigation system of  claim 18 , further comprising a hydrophilic coating located on an exterior surface of the dilator, wherein the plurality of microperforations and the hydrophilic coating enable navigation of the dilator through a patient's vasculature by reducing friction between the dilator and the patient's vasculature.