Closed Tip Dynamic Microvalve Protection Device
A method is provided for infusing a therapeutic. The method includes providing a microvalve device having an inner catheter longitudinally displaceable relative to an outer catheter, and a filter valve coupled to the inner catheter adjacent the distal ends of the inner and outer catheters such that longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter permits the filter valve to be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration. The filter valve is advanced to a target location in via a blood vessel in which the filter valve is configured under tension. Then in an embodiment, the tension is released and the filter valve is placed under compression. Then the therapeutic agent is infused through the inner catheter and out of the orifice of the inner catheter beyond the filter valve.
1 . A method of operating a microvalve device intended to infuse a therapeutic agent in a blood vessel, comprising:
a) providing a microvalve device having,
i) a flexible outer catheter having a proximal end and a distal end,
ii) a flexible inner catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner catheter having an infusion lumen with a distal orifice, the infusion lumen adapted for delivery of the therapeutic agent, the inner catheter extending through and longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer catheter, an annular space formed between the inner and outer catheters,
iii) a filter valve having a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end of the filter valve coupled to the distal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the filter valve coupled to the inner catheter adjacent the distal end of the inner catheter, such that longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter permits the filter valve to be reconfigured from a first collapsed configuration to a second expanded configuration, the filter valve having an interior space defined between an interior surface of the filter valve and an exterior surface of the inner catheter, the interior space in fluid communication with the annular space; and
iv) a port in fluid communication with the annular space and the interior space;
b) flushing the annular space and the interior space with a saline; and
c) infusing the therapeutic agent through the infusion lumen.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the port is a side arm port.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the filter valve has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion comprises a braided structure of filaments.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the distal portion of the filter valve comprises a spiral arrangement of filaments.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the filter valve includes a filamentary braided portion coated with a polymeric material.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material is a membranous material.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material is a porous material.
8 . A method of operating a microvalve device intended to infuse a therapeutic agent in a blood vessel, comprising:
a) providing a microvalve device having,
i) a flexible outer catheter having a proximal end and a distal end,
ii) a flexible inner catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner catheter having an infusion lumen with a distal orifice, the infusion lumen adapted for delivery of the therapeutic agent, the inner catheter extending through and longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer catheter,
iii) a filter valve having a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end of the filter valve coupled to the distal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the filter valve coupled to the inner catheter adjacent the distal end of the inner catheter, such that longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter permits the filter valve to be reconfigured from a first collapsed configuration to a second expanded configuration, an interior space defined between an interior surface of the filter valve and an exterior surface of the inner catheter, an annular space defined between the inner and outer catheters and including the interior space; and
iv) a port in fluid communication with the annular space and the interior space;
b) flushing the annular space including the interior space with a lubricating fluid; and then
c) infusing the therapeutic agent through the infusion lumen.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the port is a side port.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the filter valve has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion comprises a braided structure of filaments.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the distal portion comprises a spiral arrangement of filaments.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the filter valve includes a filamentary braided portion coated with a polymeric material.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material is a membranous material.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material is a porous material.
15 . A microvalve device for infusing a therapeutic agent in a blood vessel, comprising:
a) a flexible outer catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
b) a flexible inner catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner catheter having an infusion lumen with a distal orifice, the infusion lumen adapted for delivery of the therapeutic agent, the inner catheter extending through and longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer catheter, an annular space formed between the inner and outer catheters,
c) a filter valve having a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end of the filter valve coupled to the distal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the filter valve coupled to the inner catheter adjacent the distal end of the inner catheter, such that longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter permits the filter valve to be reconfigured from a first collapsed configuration to a second expanded configuration, the filter valve having an interior space in fluid communication with the annular space; and
d) a port in fluid communication with the annular space for flushing a lubricant into both the annular space and the interior space.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the filter valve has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion comprises a braided structure of filaments.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the distal portion of the filter valve comprises a spiral arrangement of filaments.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the filter valve includes a filamentary braided portion coated with a polymeric material.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is a membranous material.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is a porous material.