Dynamic microvalve protection device
An apparatus includes a delivery catheter having a deployable dynamic valve that dynamically opens and closes in response to relative fluid pressure thereabout, particularly while in an anatomical lumen. The valve is maintained in a collapsed configuration during introduction to a treatment site. The valve is adapted to automatically move from the collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration at the treatment site.
1. A method of providing a therapy to a patient through a vessel to a target tissue, comprising:
a) inserting a catheter into the vessel of the patient, the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the distal end of the catheter, and a microvalve provided at the distal end of the catheter, the microvalve comprised of a plurality of filaments in a braid, the filaments defining a crossing angle of at least 100°;
b) then expanding the microvalve to reduce blood flow in a proximal-to-distal direction through the vessel and about the catheter adjacent the distal end of the catheter; and
c) then injecting the therapy through the lumen of the catheter and into the vessel to the target tissue.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is an artery.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reduced blood flow is reduced by up to 50%.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reduced flow is reduced by more than 50%.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow rate of the reduced blood flow is reduced by up to 60% relative to the flow rate of blood prior to the reduced blood flow.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a contrast agent is injected in conjunction with the therapy, and the flow of contrast agent is observed to identify a clinical endpoint for injection of the therapy.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the catheter has a microvalve that automatically moves between open and closed configurations based on surrounding fluid pressures in the vessel.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crossing angle is at least 130°.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crossing angle is at least 150°.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapy includes a glue.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used for treatment of spinal arteriovenous malformations.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used for treatment of a brain.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a vein.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used to treat a tumor.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used to treat a pancreatic cancer.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used to treat a liver cancer.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is used to treat a renal cancer.
18. A method of providing a therapy to a patient through a vessel to a target tissue, comprising:
a) inserting a catheter into the vessel of the patient, the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a microvalve attached adjacent to the distal end, the microvalve having a plurality of filaments in a braid with the filaments defining a crossing angle of at least 130°, and the catheter having a lumen opening at the distal end of the catheter to infuse the therapy distal of the microvalve;
b) then expanding the microvalve to reduce blood flow in a proximal-to-distal direction through the vessel and about the catheter adjacent the distal end of the catheter; and
c) then injecting the therapy through the lumen of the catheter and into the vessel to the target tissue.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the microvalve automatically moves between open and closed configurations based on surrounding fluid pressures in the vessel.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the vessel is an artery.
21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is used to treat a tumor.
22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is used to treat a pancreatic cancer.
23. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is used to treat a liver cancer.
24. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is used to treat a renal cancer.
25. A method of providing a therapy to a patient through a vessel to a target tissue, comprising:
a) inserting a catheter into the vessel of the patient, the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a microvalve attached adjacent to the distal end, the microvalve having a plurality of filaments in a braid with the filaments defining a crossing angle between 100° and 130°, and the catheter having a lumen opening at the distal end of the catheter to infuse the therapy distal of the microvalve;
b) then expanding the microvalve to reduce blood flow in a proximal-to-distal direction through the vessel and about the catheter adjacent the distal end of the catheter; and
c) then injecting the therapy through the lumen of the catheter and into the vessel to the target tissue.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the microvalve automatically moves between open and closed configurations based on surrounding fluid pressures in the vessel.
27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the vessel is an artery.
28. The method of claim 25 , wherein the method is used to treat a tumor.
29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the method is used to treat a pancreatic cancer.
30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the method is used to treat a liver cancer.
31. The method of claim 25 , wherein the method is used to treat a renal cancer.