1. A method for effecting revascularization of an artery having a blockage therein in the body of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
A) inserting a tissue penetrating catheter into the patient’s vasculature;
B) using the tissue penetrating catheter to form an opening in the wall of the artery upstream of the blockage;
C) using the tissue penetrating catheter to form an opening in a vein adjacent to the artery;
D) using one or more catheters that have been inserted into the patient’s vasculature to establish a fluidic connection between the opening formed in the wall of the artery and the opening formed in the wall of the vein such that arterial blood will flow from the artery into the vein; and
E) causing the arterial blood which enters the vein to flow through the vein in a direction opposite normal venous bloodflow though that vein.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the artery is a coronary artery and the vein is a coronary vein.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein tissue exists between the opening formed in the wall of the artery and the opening formed in the wall of the vein and wherein the tissue penetrating catheter is further used to form a penetration tract through the tissue between the opening formed in the wall of the artery and the opening formed in the wall of the vein.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein Step D comprises:
inserting a channel enlarging catheter into the patient’s vasculature and using the channel enlarging catheter to enlarge the penetration tract.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the channel enlarging catheter comprises a dilator that dilates the penetration tract.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the dilator comprises a balloon.
7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the channel enlarging catheter emits energy that enlarges the penetration tract.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the channel enlarging catheter emits a type of energy selected from the group consisting of: laser, bipolar radiofrequency, monopolar radiofrequency, microwave, ultrasound, heat or radiation.
9. A method according to any of claims 1-8 wherein Step D comprises:
implanting a device between the opening formed in the wall of the artery and the opening formed in the wall of the vein to establish said fluidic connection.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the device implanted between the opening formed in the wall of the artery and the opening formed in the wall of the vein comprises a stent.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the stent has members that engage the wall of the artery adjacent to the opening formed therein and the wall of the vein adjacent to the opening formed therein.
12. A method according to any of claims 1-8 wherein Step E comprises placing an embolic member in the vein proximal to the opening formed in the wall of the vein to cause arterial blood that enters the vein through that opening to flow through the vein in a direction opposite normal venous bloodflow through that vein.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. 1. An infuser cup comprising:
a cup body comprising a vessel for a liquid, having a top rim and a bottom rim;
a removable lower base configured to couple to the bottom rim of the cup body;
a strainer assembly comprising a closable infuser container configured to mate with the top rim of the cup body;
wherein the removable lower base is configured to receive the strainer assembly.
2. The infuser cup as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a handle coupled to the strainer assembly;
a removable lid configured to be attached to the cup body and including an aperture through which a handle of the strainer assembly protrudes to locate the strainer assembly within the cup body.
3. The infuser cup as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two apertures defined therein, comprising a slot aperture and a drinking aperture.