Method and Apparatus to Remove Substances from Vessels of the Heart and Other Parts of the Body to Minimize or Avoid Renal or Other Harm or Dysfunction

Abstract

To accomplish isolation and removal of a substance from a vasculature, a catheter is employed to occlude a vessel of the vasculature. The substance is thus isolated in the vasculature and can be removed. In this way, the substance is removed before entering other parts of the circulatory system. This method is applicable to removal of contrast from the coronary sinus shortly after injection of the coronary arteries with the contrast. The method substantially minimizes or avoids renal dysfunction caused by angiographic procedures in which contrast must be injected. Such angiographic procedures are often performed during intervention procedures. This method substantially prevents circulation of the contrast to the kidneys where it could otherwise cause renal dysfunction or failure. The apparatus for implementation of the method is also disclosed.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . An apparatus comprising:
 a catheter configured for insertion into a portion of a vessel;   a suction device for removing blood from a portion of a vessel by suctioning blood through said catheter; and   a controller for starting and stopping said suction device at specific times.   
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein said controller is an electronic controller. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a sensor for sensing a property of a fluid at said portion of said vessel. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 57 , wherein said controller is configured to automatically turn said pump on when said sensor sends a signal to said controller. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein said property is the presence of contrast agent in blood in said portion of said vessel. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a blood filter. 
     
     
         61 . An apparatus comprising:
 a catheter configured for insertion into a portion of a vessel;   an occluder;   a suction device for removing blood from a portion of a vessel by suctioning blood through the catheter; and   a controller.   
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the controller is a controller for starting and stopping the suction device at specific times. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the controller is a controller for inflating and deflating the occluder at specific times. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the controller is an electronic controller. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the occluder is a balloon. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus according to  claim 66 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically activate the suction device when the sensor sends a signal to the controller. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a blood filter. 
     
     
         69 . A partially or fully automated apparatus for removing a substance from a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
 a catheter having a distal end;   a sensor located at the distal end of the catheter for detecting the substance;   a controller comprising an electronic signal processing system; and   a suctioning pump,   
       wherein the suctioning is initiated or terminated by a signal from the sensor.