Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for retroperfusion of tissue having a defined systemic vein, said vein draining blood from said tissue through a venous junction coupling said vein to the greater circulatory system comprising the steps of: inserting a non-occluding catheter having a non-occluding infusion tip through a percutaneous venous entry; guiding said infusion tip into said vein, such that when retroperfusing the tissue, said tip extends within said vein to a depth in a range of about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) from said venous junction; and retroperfusing the tissue by delivering a non-synchronized retroperfusate flow of fluid at a rate in a range of about 5 to 50 mil./min. and at a pressure less than about 15 mm Hg.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for retroperfusion of tissue having a defined systemic vein, said vein draining blood from said tissue through a venous junction coupling said vein to the greater circulatory system comprising the steps of: inserting a non-occluding catheter having a non-occluding infusion tip through a percutaneous venous entry; guiding said infusion tip into said vein, such that when retroperfusing the tissue, said tip extends within said vein to a depth in a range of about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) from said venous junction; and retroperfusing the tissue by delivering a non-synchronized retroperfusate flow of fluid at a rate in a range of about 5 to 50 mil./min. and at a pressure less than about 15 mm Hg.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for coronary sinus retroperfusion, comprising the steps of: inserting a non-occluding catheter through a percutaneous venous entry, wherein said catheter includes a non-occluding infusion tip; guiding said infusion tip into the coronary sinus, such that when retroperfusing myocardium, said tip extends within the coronary sinus to a depth in a range of about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) from the coronary sinus ostium; and does not occlude the coronary sinus, such that said blood continues to flow from the coronary sinus and retroperfusing the myocardium by delivering a non-synchronized retroperfusate flow of fluid at a rate in a range of about 5 to 50 mil./min. and at a pressure less than about 15 mm Hg.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for coronary sinus retroperfusion, comprising the steps of: inserting a non-occluding catheter through a percutaneous venous entry, wherein said catheter includes a non-occluding infusion tip; guiding said infusion tip into the coronary sinus, such that when retroperfusing myocardium, said tip extends within the coronary sinus to a depth in a range of about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) from the coronary sinus ostium; and does not occlude the coronary sinus, such that said blood continues to flow from the coronary sinus and retroperfusing the myocardium by delivering a non-synchronized retroperfusate flow of fluid at a rate in a range of about 5 to 50 mil./min. and at a pressure less than about 15 mm Hg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said venous entry is an internal stick through the jugular vein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said catheter has a withdrawal port and further comprising the step of positioning said withdrawal port in the superior vena cava and wherein said step of providing said retroperfusate flow of fluid comprises withdrawing venous blood from the superior vena cava and infusing said venous blood into the coronary sinus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: measuring blood pressure within said coronary sinus; comparing said measured blood pressure to a safety pressure limit; and reducing said retroperfusate flow rate when said measured blood pressure exceeds said safety pressure limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising fitting said catheter with a catheter steering wire and guiding said infusion tip into the coronary sinus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said catheter has a catheter tube having a plurality of depth markers and said step of guiding said catheter further comprises a process selected from the group consisting of observing fluoroscopically opaque depth markers on a catheter tube and locating depth markers having echocardiographic signatures to locate and monitor the position of said catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting said fluid to be an autologous sanguinous solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting said fluid to include an extrinsic sanguinous solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said catheter further comprises at least one reservoir containing a pharmaceutical agent, and further comprising the step of infusing pharmaceutical agents into the coronary sinus wherein said catheter further comprises a tube defining at least one pharmaceutical agent delivery channel, each of which has a delivery end coupled to an agent infusion port located in said infusion tip and a source end coupled to a delivery means for providing a measured flow of said pharmaceutical agent from said reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said retroperfusate flow is delivered at a rate of about 10 mil./min.