Systems and methods for reducing pressure at an outflow of a duct

Abstract

Various systems and methods are provided for reducing pressure at an outflow of a duct such as the thoracic duct or the lymphatic duct. In one embodiment, an indwelling catheter can be configured to be at least partially implanted within a vein of a patient in the vicinity of an outflow port of a duct of the lymphatic system. The catheter can include first and second restrictors each configured to at least partially occlude the vein within which the catheter is implanted and thus to restrict fluid flow within the vein when the restrictors are activated. The restrictors can each be configured to move between an activated configuration, in which the restrictor occludes the vein, and a relaxed configuration, in which the restrictor does not occlude the vein. The catheter can include a pump, such as an axial motor pump, configured to pump fluid through the catheter.

1 - 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A medical system, comprising:
 a catheter shaft configured to be positioned within a vein of a patient;   at least one restrictor coupled to the catheter shaft and configured to be positioned within the vein, the at least one restrictor being movable between an activated configuration in which the at least one restrictor has a first diameter and a relaxed configuration in which the at least one restrictor has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the at least one restrictor being configured to occlude fluid flow through the vein when the at least one restrictor is in the activated configuration within the vein; and   a pump configured to pump fluid through the catheter shaft.   
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the catheter shaft includes a single restrictor. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one restrictor comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 89 , further comprising at least one inflation lumen extending along the catheter shaft, the at least one inflation lumen being in fluid communication with the at least one restrictor. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one restrictor includes a stent. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the pump includes an impeller within the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the pump is configured to be positioned within the vein. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the pump is non-implantable. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 87 , further comprising a controller configured to actuate the pump. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 95 , wherein the controller is configured to actuate the pump in response to user operation of a control external to the body of the patient. 
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 95 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to be implanted in the body of the patient, the controller being configured to actuate the pump in response to a pressure measured by the pressure sensor exceeding a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 95 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to be implanted in the body of the patient, the controller being configured to control a speed of operation of the pump depending on a pressure measured by the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 87 , further comprising at least one sensor. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 87 , further comprising a flexible membrane attached to a distal portion of the catheter shaft, the flexible membrane being a collapsible, tube-like member having a lumen extending therethrough, the at least one restrictor being formed over a portion of the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the vein comprises an internal jugular vein or a subclavian vein.