Method and apparatus for decompressing aneurysms
A method of treating an aneurysm comprising placing an aspiration catheter in communication with the aneurysm. A prosthesis is deployed across an opening to the aneurysm to isolate at least a portion of the aneurysm. Material is aspirated from the aneurysm. Embolizing or other material may be introduced into the aneurysm.
1 . A method of treating an aneurysm, comprising the steps of:
placing an aspiration catheter in communication with the aneurysm;
deploying a prosthesis across an opening to the aneurysm to isolate at least a portion of the aneurysm; and
aspirating material from the aneurysm.
2 . A method of treating an aneurysm as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of introducing an agent into an isolated portion of the aneurysm.
3 . A method of treating an aneurysm as in claim 2 , wherein the agent comprises an embolization material.
4 . A method of treating an aneurysm as in claim 1 wherein the deploying a prosthesis step comprises expanding the prosthesis such that the aspiration catheter extends along the outside of at least a portion of the prosthesis and into the aneurysm.
5 . A method of treating an aneurysm as in claim 4 , further comprising the step of withdrawing the aspiration catheter following the aspirating step.
6 . A method of treating an aneurysm as in claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is a bifurcated prosthesis.
7 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
identifying a vascular aneurysm;
positioning a prosthesis across the aneurysm, to isolate at least a portion of the aneurysm from an adjacent vessel; and
removing material from the isolated portion of the aneurysm.
8 . A method of treating a patient as in claim 7 , wherein the removing step is accomplished through a transluminally placed catheter.
9 . A method of treating a patient as in claim 7 , wherein the removing step comprises removing at least about 5 cc of blood.
10 . A method of treating a patient as in claim 7 , wherein the removing step comprises removing at least about 10 cc of blood.
11 . A method of treating a patient as in claim 7 , additionally comprising the step of introducing an embolization material into the isolated portion of the aneurysm.
12 . A method of treating a patient as in claim 11 , wherein the step of introducing an embolization material into the isolated portion of the aneurysm is accomplished after the commencement of the removing fluid step.
13 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
identifying a vascular aneurysm;
isolating at least a portion of the aneurysm from an adjacent vessel;
removing a first volume of a first material from the isolated portion of the aneurysm, and
introducing a second volume of a second material into the isolated portion of the aneurysm.
14 . A method as in claim 12 , wherein the second volume is no more than about 90% of the first volume.
15 . A method as in claim 12 , wherein the second material increases in volume from an initial volume to a final volume following the introducing step.
16 . A method as in claim 14 , further comprising the step of calibrating the amount of the second material to produce a desired ratio between the first volume and the final volume.
17 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
identifying a vascular aneurysm;
isolating at least a portion of the aneurysm from an adjacent vessel;
removing a volume of blood from the isolated portion of the aneurysm, introducing a volume of media into the isolated portion;
wherein the volume of media has a predetermined relationship to the removed volume of blood.
18 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
identifying a vascular aneurysm;
isolating at least a portion of the aneurysm; removing a volume of fluid from the isolated portion;
determining the volume of fluid removed; and
determining a volume of an expandable media to be introduced into the isolated portion so that the media in a fully expanded volume has a predetermined relationship to the volume of fluid removed.
19 . A kit for treating a patient with a vascular aneurysm, the kit comprising:
a vascular graft configured to isolate at least a portion of the aneurysm;
a deployment catheter configured to deploy the vascular graft within the aneurysm; and
an aspiration catheter comprising an elongate body that defines an aspiration lumen.
20 . The kit of claim 19 further comprising an agent configured to be inserted into the isolated portion of the aneurism.
21 . The kit of claim 20 wherein the agent comprises an embolization material.
22 . The kit of claim 19 further comprising an measurement device configured to measure the amount of material aspirated through the aspiration catheter.
23 . The kit as of claim 19 , further comprising an injection member that includes a scale to indicate an amount of agent inserted into the aneurysm after the aneurysm has been aspirated.
24 . The kit of claim 23 , wherein the scale is configured to take into account the expected expansion of the agent.
25 . The kit of claim 19 , wherein the aspiration catheter includes a device configured to measure the amount of material aspirated from the aneurysm.
26 . The kit of claim 19 , wherein at least the distal end of the aspiration catheter has a generally tapered cross-sectional shape.
27 . The kit of claim 19 , wherein the aspiration catheter includes a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure within the aneurysm.
28 . The kit of claim 19 , wherein the aspiration catheter includes a separate guidewire lumen.
29 . The kit of claim 19 , wherein the vascular graft is a bifurcated graft.