Jet-directed catheter for interventional radiology.

A new catheter of dual lumen construction, suitable for clinical use, is capable of navigating acute vessel branches by selective retrojet fluid thrusts issuing from cowlings built into its distal sidewalls. Conventional radiopaque liquids can be used both to drive the system and to fluoroscopically locate its position relative to the vascular network. In vitro studies have shown the catheter to traverse straight vessels and negotiate difficult lateral turns over short radii in the process of entering progressively smaller branches. In vivo studies have verified these capabilities and suggest a means for embolizing tumors and arteriovenous malformations located at otherwise inaccessible regions. For arterial infusion of drugs to treat tumors, the turbulent jet action is utilized to enhance mixing within the blood stream to overcome the streaming phenomenon common to other catheters. The result is better distribution of the agent and increased opportunity for the drug to reach more of the tumor. The catheter system is undergoing clinical trials.