TECHNICAL FIELD

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to medical systems, devices, and related methods. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to medical systems and/or devices for achieving reverse blood flow.

BACKGROUND

Vasculature of a subject (also referred to as patient) may occasionally become stenosed, occluded, partially occluded, blocked, narrowed, or otherwise compromised such that transfer of blood through the vasculature is impeded, lessened, and/or prevented. That is, the blood carrying capacity of such a compromised vessel is reduced or otherwise insufficient. The vasculature may become occluded, stenosed, or at least partially blocked due to the deposit of plaque, emboli, or other such material on the walls of the vasculature. To avoid serious and/or permanent injury, one or more medical procedures or interventions may be performed. Such procedures may include, for example, angioplasty, atherectomy, stenting, or the like in which a constricted, narrowed, occluded, or otherwise partially blocked region of the vasculature is opened, widened, or unblocked so as to allow or maintain blood flow therethrough. Often, however, such procedures may loosen and/or fragment plaque, emboli, or other such material. The fragmented plaque, emboli, or other material may travel downstream with a flow of blood passing through the vasculature and potentially result in a stroke or other embolic event.

The systems, devices, and methods of the current disclosure may rectify some of the deficiencies described above or address other aspects of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present disclosure relate to, among other things, medical devices and procedures. Each of the examples disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed examples.

In one example, a method may include inflating a first balloon within an internal carotid artery so as to block antegrade flow of blood through the internal carotid artery. Additionally, the method may include deploying a second balloon within the internal carotid artery distal of the first balloon and increasing a flow rate of blood passing the second balloon via expansion of the second balloon. Further, the method may include maintaining antegrade flow of blood between a common carotid artery and an external carotid artery of a subject.

Examples of the method may include one or more of the following features. The method may include adjusting a degree of expansion of the second balloon. Deploying the second balloon may include positioning at least a portion of the second balloon distally of an ophthalmic artery of a subject. The method may include inducing retrograde blood flow in an ophthalmic artery of the subject.

In a further aspect, a method may include inflating a first balloon within an internal carotid artery of the subject proximal of an ophthalmic artery of a subject. Additionally, the method may include inflating a second balloon within the internal carotid artery distal of the ophthalmic artery, and inducing retrograde blood flow in the ophthalmic artery. Further, the method may include maintaining antegrade flow of blood between a common carotid artery and an external carotid artery of a subject.

Examples of the method may include passing the induced retrograde blood flow through a channel of the first balloon.

In a further aspect, a method may include inflating a first balloon within an internal carotid artery so as to block antegrade flow of blood into an ophthalmic artery. Further, the method may include maintaining antegrade flow of blood in the internal carotid artery via a perfusion lumen in the first balloon. Additionally, the method may include inserting a device into the ophthalmic artery via a lumen extending through a portion of the first balloon to a side opening in the first balloon.

Examples of the method may include one or more of the following features. The method may further include inflating a second balloon distally of the ophthalmic artery. Additionally, the method may include inducing retrograde blood flow in the ophthalmic artery of the subject. Also, inflating the first balloon may form a seal against a wall of the internal carotid artery.

In an additional aspect, a method may include inflating a first balloon within an internal carotid artery of a subject proximal of an ophthalmic artery of the subject. Further, the method may include inflating a second balloon within the internal carotid artery distal of the ophthalmic artery. Also, the method may include stopping antegrade blood flow in the ophthalmic artery, and maintaining antegrade blood flow in the internal carotid artery of the subject.

Examples of the method may include on or more of the following features. The method may include inducing retrograde blood flow in the ophthalmic artery. Additionally, the method may include passing the induced retrograde blood flow through a channel of the first balloon. Also, the method may include inserting a device into the ophthalmic artery via a lumen extending through a portion of the first balloon to a side opening in the first balloon.

In a further aspect, a method may include positioning a balloon within an internal carotid artery. The balloon may include an opening extending through a side wall of the balloon. The method also may include expanding the balloon so as to contact a wall of the internal carotid artery and aligning the opening of the balloon with an ophthalmic artery. Additionally, the expanding the balloon may include adjusting a blood flow rate of the ophthalmic artery.

Examples of the method may further include one or more of the following features. The method may include permitting blood flow through the opening of the balloon. Permitting blood flow through the opening may include permitting induced retrograde blood from the ophthalmic artery, through the opening, to a location proximal of the balloon. Further, the method may include fluidly coupling a region of the internal carotid artery proximal of the balloon with a region of the internal carotid artery distal of the balloon via a lumen disparate from the side wall opening of the balloon.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.” As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately,” indicate a range of values within +/−5% of the stated value unless otherwise stated.

