US 12,263,288 B2
Apparatus and methods for accessing the lymphatic system
Matthew J. Callaghan, Stanford, CA (US); Christian S. Eversull, Palo Alto, CA (US); and Stephen A. Leeflang, Sandy, UT (US)
Assigned to LXS, LLC, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed by LXS, LLC, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/839,197.
Application 17/839,197 is a continuation of application No. 16/105,722, filed on Aug. 20, 2018, granted, now 11,357,897.
Application 16/105,722 is a continuation of application No. 14/214,882, filed on Mar. 15, 2014, granted, now 10,052,059, issued on Aug. 21, 2018.
Application 14/214,882 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/100,297, filed on May 3, 2011, granted, now 9,421,316, issued on Aug. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/804,099, filed on Mar. 21, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/800,161, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/330,885, filed on May 4, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/330,882, filed on May 4, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0387686 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 1/34 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01); A61M 1/14 (2006.01); A61M 1/16 (2006.01); A61M 1/36 (2006.01); A61B 5/01 (2006.01); A61B 5/145 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 8/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 1/3496 (2013.01) [A61B 5/414 (2013.01); A61B 5/4842 (2013.01); A61M 1/14 (2013.01); A61M 1/16 (2013.01); A61M 1/3659 (2014.02); A61M 1/367 (2013.01); A61B 5/01 (2013.01); A61B 5/14542 (2013.01); A61B 5/14546 (2013.01); A61B 5/6852 (2013.01); A61B 8/0841 (2013.01); A61B 8/488 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0247 (2013.01); A61M 2202/0405 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0216 (2013.01); A61M 2205/33 (2013.01); A61M 2205/50 (2013.01); A61M 2205/75 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating a patient via a thoracic duct of a patient's body, comprising:
providing a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into the patient's body, and an expandable member on the distal end adjacent a distal tip of the tubular member;
introducing the distal end of the tubular member into vasculature of the patient's body via a percutaneous access site in a right internal jugular vein or right subclavian vein with the expandable member in a contracted condition;
advancing the tubular member until the distal end is disposed within a junction of the patient's left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein;
manipulating the tubular member to direct the distal end into the thoracic duct;
expanding the expandable member to substantially isolate the thoracic duct from the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein;
removing lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct through the tubular member to a location exterior to the patient's body;
treating the removed lymphatic fluid; and
returning at least a portion of the lymphatic fluid back into the patient's body.