Method of cerebral embolic protection employing an aortic flow divider

Abstract

The invention is a catheter with a fluid flow divider positioned near the distal end of the catheter for dividing a first lumen into two channels at a point where a second lumen branches from the first lumen, and for selectively perfusing the branch lumen. The invention is particularly suited for use in the aortic arch. The fluid flow divider may comprise one or more inflatable chambers or one or more deployable shrouds comprising a plurality of arms with a webbing extending between adjacent arms. The inflatable chambers may be relatively noncompliant or they may be compliant, exhibiting elastic behavior after initial inflation, to closely fit the aortic lumen size and curvature. The catheter may further include one or more additional or auxiliary flow control members located upstream or downstream from the fluid flow divider to further segment the patient's circulatory system for selective perfusion to different organ systems within the body or to assist in anchoring the catheter in a desired position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of cerebral embolic protection comprising deploying a fluid flow divider within a patient's aortic arch lumen and dividing aortic blood flow into at least two channels, including a first channel in fluid communication with the patient's aortic arch branch vessels and a second channel in fluid communication with the patient's descending aorta.  
     
     
         2 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the first channel with a fluid.  
     
     
         3 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the second channel with a fluid.  
     
     
         4 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the first channel with a first fluid and perfusing the second channel with a second fluid.  
     
     
         5 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising occluding the lumen of the ascending aorta upstream of the fluid flow divider.  
     
     
         6 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 5 , further comprising infusing a cardioplegic agent into the root of the patient's ascending aorta to arrest the patient's heart.  
     
     
         7 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising inflating an occlusion balloon to occlude the lumen of the ascending aorta upstream of the fluid flow divider.  
     
     
         8 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting the fluid flow divider into the patient's aortic arch lumen via an aortotomy incision.  
     
     
         9 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting the fluid flow divider into the patient's aortic arch lumen via a peripheral artery insertion site.  
     
     
         10 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow divider is deployed within the patient's aortic arch lumen by inflating an inflatable chamber within the fluid flow divider.  
     
     
         11 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow divider is mounted on a catheter shaft and the method further comprises perfusing the first channel with a first fluid through a first lumen within the catheter shaft.  
     
     
         12 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 11 , further comprising perfusing the second channel with a second fluid through a second lumen within the catheter shaft.  
     
     
         13 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 11 , further comprising inflating an occlusion balloon mounted on the catheter shaft to occlude the lumen of the ascending aorta upstream of the fluid flow divider  
     
     
         14 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow divider is deployed from within a catheter shaft.  
     
     
         15 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow divider is deployed using a deployment wire.  
     
     
         16 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow divider is deployed by a plurality of mechanically actuated arms.  
     
     
         17 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the first channel with hypothermic oxygenated blood.  
     
     
         18 . The method of cerebral embolic protection of  claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the first channel with fluid at a pressure and flow rate to prevent backflow of fluid from the second channel into the first channel.