Infusion catheter

Abstract

A device and method to dissolve or eliminate blood clots from a patient relies upon a non-rapid moving mechanism to physically dissolve clots without damaging endothelium of the arteries and veins of a patient. In one embodiment, in addition to mechanical agitation of a clot, a thrombolytic agent is administered simultaneously with such agitation. Preferably, intermittent agitation is utilized over a prolonged period of time to effectuate clot removal.

1 . A pharmomechanical device, comprising: 
 a catheter having a spiral shape throughout its length that is substantially incapable of damaging an endothelium of a vascular structure, said catheter rotating between 30 rpm and 600 rpm once it is inserted inside a patient, said catheter increasing the surface area of a clot in said vascular structure such that said clot can be dissolved by a lytic agent; and    means for providing a rotational motion to said catheter.    
   
   
       2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a pump that delivers lytic agent in pulse waves, said pulse waves causing an intermittent mechanical motion of said catheter, and wherein an intermittent mechanical motion of the catheter is caused by the delivery of said lytic agent.  
   
   
       3 . The device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said pump is programmed to deliver said lytic agent at a desired frequency or duration.  
   
   
       4 . The pharmomechanical device of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter rotates at less than about 55 rpm.  
   
   
       5 . A pharmomechanical device, comprising: 
 a catheter having a length and having a spiral shape throughout a substantial portion of said length, said catheter being substantially incapable of damaging an endothelium of a vascular structure, said catheter rotating at less than about 600 rpm once it is inserted inside a patient to increase the surface area of a clot in said vascular structure; and    a means for rotating said catheter.    
   
   
       6 . The device as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a pump that delivers lytic agent in pulse waves, said pulse waves causing an intermittent mechanical motion of said catheter, and wherein an intermittent mechanical motion of the catheter is caused by the delivery of said lytic agent.  
   
   
       7 . The device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said pump is programmed to deliver said lytic agent at a desired frequency or duration.  
   
   
       8 . The pharmomechanical device of  claim 5 , wherein said catheter rotates at less than about 55 rpm.  
   
   
       9 . A pharmomechanical device, comprising: 
 a catheter having a spiral shape throughout substantially its entire length that is substantially incapable of damaging an endothelium of a vascular structure, said catheter rotating less than about 55 rpm once it is inserted inside a patient, said catheter increasing the surface area of a clot in said vascular structure such that said clot can be dissolved by a lytic agent; and    a pump that delivers lytic agent in pulse waves, said pulse waves causing an intermittent mechanical motion of said catheter.    
   
   
       10 . The device as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a pump that delivers lytic agent in pulse waves, said pulse waves causing an intermittent mechanical motion of said catheter, and wherein an intermittent mechanical motion of the catheter is caused by the delivery of said lytic agent.  
   
   
       11 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said pump is programmed to deliver said lytic agent at a desired frequency or duration.  
   
   
       12 . The pharmomechanical device of  claim 9 , wherein said catheter rotates at less than about 55 rpm.