Systems and methods for treating eye diseases using retrograde blood flow
A method, device, or system for treating eye disorders or conditions, comprising restoring or increasing blood flow or blood flow rate in an artery that supplies blood to or in the eye, thereby increasing the amount of nutrient(s) that reaches the eye or a portion thereof. The invention also includes methods, devices, or systems for treating eye disorders or conditions which use reverse flow or retrograde flow structures and systems during the treatment of the eye disease.
1. A method, comprising:
a. positioning a first device within an ophthalmic artery of a subject;
b. intravascularly inducing retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery of the subject; and
c. treating at least one of a blockage, a stenosis, a lesion, plaque, or other physiology in the ophthalmic artery or a junction between an internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.
2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein treating is performed during retrograde flow.
3. A method as in claim 2 , wherein treating comprises increasing blood flow into the ophthalmic artery.
4. A method as in claim 3 , wherein treating comprises increasing a size of the junction between the internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.
5. A method as in claim 4 , wherein increasing the size of the junction comprises removing material from the junction.
6. A method as in claim 4 , wherein increasing the size of the junction comprises dilating the junction.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein retrograde flow is directed through another device and into a vein of the subject.
8. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery.
9. A method as in claim 8 , wherein measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery comprises measuring linear blood flow rate.
10. A method as in claim 8 , wherein measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery comprises measuring volumetric blood flow rate.
11. A method, comprising:
a. positioning a first device in an internal carotid artery proximate an ophthalmic artery;
b. intravascularly stopping antegrade flow in a portion of the internal carotid artery; and
c. treating at least one of a blockage, a stenosis, a lesion, plaque, or other physiology in the ophthalmic artery or a junction between the internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.
12. A method as in claim 11 , wherein the first device is inserted via a transcervical approach.
13. A method as in claim 11 , wherein stopping antegrade flow in the internal carotid artery comprises inducing retrograde flow in the internal carotid artery.
14. A method as in claim 11 , further comprising stopping antegrade flow in the ophthalmic artery.
15. A method as in claim 14 , wherein stopping antegrade flow in the ophthalmic artery comprises inducing retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery.
16. A method as in claim 15 , wherein inducing retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery comprises inducing retrograde flow downstream of the ophthalmic artery.
17. A method, comprising:
a. locating a site in an arterial blood supply to an eye that compromises blood flow and contributes to an eye disorder, wherein the site is in an ophthalmic artery or a junction between an internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery;
b. intravascularly stopping antegrade flow in the arterial blood supply of the eye;
c. delivering a first device intravascularly to the site; and
d. while antegrade flow is stopped, treating the site with the first device.
18. A method, comprising:
a. stopping antegrade flow within an internal carotid artery of a subject via a first device located within an arterial system of the subject;
b. delivering a second device within an ophthalmic artery of the subject or within a junction between the ophthalmic artery and the internal carotid artery; and
c. with the second device, treating the ophthalmic artery or a junction between the internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery of the subject while stopping antegrade flow.
19. A method as in claim 18 , wherein stopping antegrade flow in the internal carotid artery comprises inducing retrograde flow in the internal carotid artery.
20. A method as in claim 18 , further comprising stopping antegrade flow in the ophthalmic artery.
21. A method as in claim 20 , wherein stopping antegrade flow in the ophthalmic artery comprises inducing retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery.
22. A method as in claim 21 , wherein inducing retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery comprises inducing retrograde flow downstream of the ophthalmic artery.
23. A method as in claim 18 , wherein treating comprises increasing blood flow into the ophthalmic artery.
24. A method as in claim 18 , wherein treating comprises increasing a size of the junction between the internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.
25. A method as in claim 24 , wherein increasing the size of the junction comprises removing material from the junction.
26. A method as in claim 24 , wherein increasing the size of the junction comprises dilating the junction.
27. A method as in claim 18 , further comprising measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery.
28. A method as in claim 27 , wherein measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery comprises measuring linear blood flow rate.
29. A method as in claim 27 , wherein measuring blood flow rate in the ophthalmic artery comprises measuring volumetric blood flow rate.