Method and device for the intermittent occlusion of a vein draining the organ system

1. A method for intermittent occlusion of a coronary sinus, comprising the steps of:

occluding a coronary sinus using an occlusion device coupled to a distal end portion of a multi-lumen catheter and being in communication with a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter, the occlusion device being adjustable between a non-occluding state and an occluding state that is configured to substantially occlude the coronary sinus,

measuring and storing fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus,

determining a behavior of the fluid pressure as a function of time, and

releasing the occlusion of the coronary sinus as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from pressure measurements, wherein the occlusion of the coronary sinus is released by adjusting the occlusion device from the occluded state to the non-occluding state,

wherein pulsating pressure is applied to a device coupled to the multi-lumen catheter and positioned in the corona sinus at least partially distal of the occlusion device only during the occlusion of the coronary sinus when the occlusion device is in the occluding state.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulsating pressure is applied in waves at frequencies of between 50 and 250 per minute.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein formation of said pressure waves is induced by sonic waves.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the sonic waves are ultrasonic waves.

5. A method according to claim 2 , wherein formation of said pressure waves is induced as a function of blood pressure peaks produced by a heart.

6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein formation of said pressure waves is induced by a fluid pulsingly conveyed in a lumen of a catheter, the occlusion device being positioned at a distal region of the catheter.

7. A method according to claim 2 , wherein formation of said pressure waves is induced by electromechanical waves.

8. A method according to claim 2 , wherein formation of said pressure waves is induced by a combination of action of the occlusion device and action of a means for applying a pulsating pressure in the vein.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulsating pressure is applied pneumatically or hydraulically via an oscillating, pulsating membrane or piezoelectrically.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein wave maxima of the pulsating pressure are synchronized with at least one of ECG signals, heart tones, and phasic temperature changes in blood flow.

11. A device for intermittent occlusion of a coronary sinus, comprising:

a multi-lumen catheter having a distal end portion;

an occlusion device coupled to the distal end portion of the multi-lumen catheter and being in communication with a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter, the occlusion device being adjustable between a non-occluding state and an occluding state that is configured to substantially occlude the coronary sinus,

a pressure measuring device for measuring fluid pressure in the coronary sinus when the occlusion device is in the occluded state,

a memory for storing fluid pressure behavior as a function of time, and

means for applying a pulsating pressure in the coronary sinus only when the occlusion device is in the occluded state in pressure waves at frequencies of between 50 and 250 per minute, wherein the pulsating pressure means is attached to the multi-lumen catheter at a position at least partially distal of the occlusion device and is in communication with a second lumen of the multi-lumen catheter.

12. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the means for applying a pulsating pressure is comprised of an oscillating body, said oscillating body being driven to form the pressure waves.

13. A device according to claim 12 , wherein said oscillating body is arranged in a cage designed as a stent.

14. A device according to claim 12 , wherein the oscillating body is comprised of a pneumatically or hydraulically expandable hollow body or balloon.

15. A device according to claim 12 , wherein the pressure measuring device is positioned and adapted to measure fluid pressure in an occluded coronary sinus, and to measure pressure peaks introduced by the oscillating body.

16. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the means for applying a pulsating pressure is comprised of a device for pulsating introduction of perfusate into the occluded vein.

17. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the frequencies are between 100 and 200 per minute.

18. A device for intermittent occlusion of a vein, comprising:

an occlusion device,

a pressure measuring device for continuously measuring fluid pressure in an occluded vein,

a memory for storing fluid pressure behavior as a function of time,

a means for applying a pulsating pressure in the occluded vein in pressure waves at frequencies of between 50 and 250 per minute, and

a device controlling formation of said pressure waves, which is arranged to generate pressure waves from a lower threshold value of a detected pressure increase after an occlusion, and to stop generation of pressure waves upon release of the occlusion.

19. A device according to claim 18 , wherein the means for applying a pulsating pressure comprises an oscillating body positioned along a distal region of a catheter, the occlusion device also being positioned along the distal region of the catheter.

20. A device according to claim 19 , wherein the oscillating body comprises a pneumatically or hydraulically expandable hollow body or balloon.

21. A device according to claim 19 , wherein the oscillating body is coupled to the catheter at a position that is distal of the occlusion device, and the oscillating body is configured to be driven to form the pressure waves only when the occlusion device is in an occlusion state.