SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE FOR DELIVERING BENEFICIAL AGENTS FOR REVASCULARIZING STENOTIC BYPASS GRAFTS AND OTHER OCCLUDED BLOOD VESSELS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

摘要

A system for opening an occluded coronary bypass graft. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris produced by the atherectomy catheter is withdrawn. A guide wire having an inflatable balloon may be used with the atherectomy catheter to block the flow of debris, while enabling distal tissues to be perfused. At least one flow control port may be provided in the guide catheter to prevent collapse of the graft. A beneficial agent, e.g., pharmaceuticals, etc., may be introduced by the catheter.