Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for controllably gas embolyzing a portion of a blood vessel is disclosed. The method includes providing an obstruction to the flow of blood in a blood vessel and introducing sufficient gas, preferably carbon dioxide, into the blood vessel at a location adjacent the obstruction to create a controlled segmental embolism in the blood vessel adjacent the obstruction. The carbon dioxide fed embolism clears blood away from a portion of the blood vessel to provide a blood-free area which can be easily viewed by a physician looking through an endoscope. The method is carried out with a catheterization system which includes means for providing a controlled obstruction to the flow of blood in a blood vessel and tubular means defining a channel for conducting sufficient gas into the blood vessel at a location adjacent the controlled obstruction to create a controlled gas embolism in the vessel adjacent the obstruction.

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First Claim