Bypass catheter

Abstract

An innovative medical device that permits rapid, minimally invasive restoration of blood flow across a vascular blockage. A system allowing for lysis or removal of said blockage. Said device creates a temporary bypass using longitudinal structure configured for insertion into the blood vessel and adapted to deliver a side hole to a target area. The side hole defines a distal first segment and a proximal second segment with a lumen to allow blood flow therethrough to the distal end hole. In an alternate embodiment, a slidable outer sheath can cover the side hole to permit reversal of blood flow from the distal end hole to a proximal end hole located outside a patient's body by means of an aspiration controller. Alternate embodiments include an optional anchoring balloon, a macerating stent or wires, perforations for fluid delivery, and an backflow valve.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for bypassing a blocked vessel comprising a catheter body configured for insertion into a blood vessel, the catheter body including a distal opening and a circumferential outer wall with an inner surface circumscribing and defining a lumen, the circumferential outer wall including at least one perforation and a side hole in communication with the lumen such that blood flow is directed through the lumen so as to direct blood flow around a blockage in the vessel and thereby establish a bypass, the at least one perforation positioned between the side hole and the distal opening, the catheter having an outer wall and devoid of a balloon between the side hole and distal opening so outflow of clot dissolving fluid from the at least one perforation is unobstructed along a length of the catheter between the side hole and distal opening. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lumen is configured so blood flow is directed through the side hole, into the lumen, and exclusively out through the distal opening of the catheter body to establish the bypass, the distal opening providing a sole exit opening for the blood entering the lumen through the side hole. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the side hole is positioned adjacent to a juncture between a proximal segment of the catheter body and a distal segment of the catheter body, and the catheter body is configured to selectively inhibit blood flow from the distal segment into the proximal segment and to selectively redirect blood flow from the distal opening proximally within the lumen of the catheter. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a valve located within the catheter body positioned adjacent to the juncture between a proximal segment of the catheter body and a distal segment of the catheter body, the valve being configured to inhibit blood flow proximally through the catheter body to prevent blood flow from the distal segment into the proximal segment. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is closable by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lumen in a proximal segment of the catheter body has a smaller diameter than the distal opening in a distal segment of the catheter body. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a pressurized fluid communicating with a proximal hole of the catheter body to prevent back flow of blood which entered the side hole. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressurized fluid communicating with a proximal hole of the catheter body to prevent back flow of blood which entered the side hole. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second lumen for delivering fluid through the at least one perforation into the blockage to dissolve the blockage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a balloon proximal of the side hole and a third lumen in communication with the balloon. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a slidable support sheath for blocking the side hole to redirect blood flow through the distal opening out a proximal hole of the catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein blood flows into the lumen through the distal opening. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath includes an anchoring balloon. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one macerating loop disposed on an outer surface of the catheter body distal of the side hole and proximal to the distal opening. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one macerating loop disposed on an outer surface of the catheter body distal of the side hole and proximal to the open distal end. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second concentric lumen, wherein the at least one perforation communicates with an area between an internal surface of the second concentric lumen and an outer surface of the lumen for blood flow. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for bypassing a blocked vessel comprising a catheter body configured for insertion into a blood vessel, the catheter body including a distal opening and a circumferential outer wall with an inner surface circumscribing and defining a lumen, the circumferential outer wall including at least one perforation and a side hole in communication with the lumen so as to direct blood flow around a blockage in the vessel and thereby establish a bypass, the at least one perforation positioned between the side hole and the distal opening, and at least one macerating loop disposed on an outer surface of the catheter body distal of the side hole and proximal to the distal opening. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the lumen is configured so blood flow is directed through the side hole, into the lumen, and exclusively out through the distal opening of the catheter body to thereby establish the bypass, wherein the distal opening provides a sole exit opening for the blood entering the lumen through the side hole. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the lumen in a proximal segment is smaller than the exit opening in a distal segment. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a slidable support sheath for blocking the side hole to redirect blood flow through the open distal end and out a proximal hole of the catheter. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath includes an anchoring balloon. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a balloon proximal of the side hole and a second lumen in communication with a balloon proximal of the side hole.