| abstract |
A method and apparatus for delivering occluding agents through an opening in a blood vessel wall and into an aneurysm chamber or a branch vessel by introducing a balloon catheter, inflating the balloon to seal the blood vessel lumen around the vessel opening, and delivering the occluding agent through the opening. The inflation of the balloon positions an exit port laterally in the vessel in alignment with the vessel opening for delivering of the occluding agent therethrough. In one embodiment, the balloon encircles the distal end segment of the catheter body, and the delivery exit port is supported on the inflated surface of the balloon. In a second embodiment, the balloon is formed and extends around a major circumferential section of the distal end segment, and the delivery exit port is formed in the remaining minor circumferential section for lateral movement into alignment with the vessel opening as the balloon fills the blood vessel on inflation. The inflated balloon maintains the occluding agent therein until it forms an occluding cast, and the balloon wall shapes the occluding cast into conformance with the blood vessel lumen. The catheter body is formed with lumens for balloon inflation/deflation, the passage over a guide wire, the delivery of the occluding agent and the venting during delivery or aspiration prior to delivery. More than one delivery exit port and associated lumen may be provided for venting during delivery and/or for the delivery of a two component occluding agent. The catheter body and the balloon are preferably formed integrally of coaxial tubes with delivery/venting lumens formed in the outer tube and a common inner lumen for inflation/deflation of the balloon, terminating in a self sealing distal valve for receiving the guide wire. Liquid occluding agents or mechanical thrombus forming devices my be delivered thereby into the aneurysm chamber or branch vessel to occlude it. |