Endoluminal delivery of anesthesia
Described herein are methods and devices for selectively applying fluids (particularly anesthetics) to a target tissue from within a blood vessel while minimizing the amount of fluid applied to non-target tissue. The injection catheters described herein may include an elongate body, a directional injector, and one or more holdfasts for securing the catheter before extending the injector. The methods of selectively applying anesthetic to a target structure generally include the steps of inserting an injection catheter into a body vessel, positioning the injection catheter within the body vessel near the target structure, anchoring the injection catheter before extending a directional injector from the injection catheter, and applying anesthetic from the injection catheter to the target structure.
1. A method of applying anesthetic to a target structure from within a body vessel, the method comprising:
inserting an injection catheter into a body vessel near a sinus nerve;
releasing a directional injector from the injection catheter via an exit port of the injection catheter;
deploying a stiff member to anchor the injection catheter;
extending the directional injector to deliver anesthetic to a region adjacent the sinus nerve; and
applying anesthetic from the injection catheter to the region.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of visualizing the injection catheter.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising visualizing the injection catheter by fluoroscopic visualization.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising visualizing the application of anesthetic to the region.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising releasing radiopaque substance with the anesthetic.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring an orientation of the directional injector so that the directional injector is positioned near the sinus nerve.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inflating a balloon connected to the injection catheter to secure the injection catheter within the body vessel.