Some embodiments of a balloon catheter device for introduction into a body vessel, in particular the coronary sinus, can include a catheter shaft which carries an inflatable balloon on its distal portion and in which a plurality of different lumens are formed. In particular embodiments, a system for treating heart tissue can include a coronary sinus occlusion catheter configured for improved deliverability to the coronary sinus and for thereafter performing intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus.

Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Some embodiments of a balloon catheter device for introduction into a body vessel, in particular the coronary sinus, can include a catheter shaft which carries an inflatable balloon on its distal portion and in which a plurality of different lumens are formed. In particular embodiments, a system for treating heart tissue can include a coronary sinus occlusion catheter configured for improved deliverability to the coronary sinus and for thereafter performing intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus.

Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

Some systems and methods for treating heart tissue may include instruments for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus using a coronary sinus occlusion catheter device. In some embodiments, the coronary sinus occlusion catheter can be used before or during a coronary intervention procedure in which a blockage in a heart is repaired or removed.

Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

A system includes an intravascular reperfusion therapy device configured to be positioned within a coronary vein to deliver reperfusion therapy to a myocardium of a heart associated with the coronary vein. The intravascular reperfusion therapy device includes a flexible elongate member, a sensor, and a balloon. The balloon is configured to generate back pressure within the coronary vein to deliver the reperfusion therapy. The system includes a processor circuit in communication with the intravascular reperfusion therapy device. The processor circuit is configured to receive, from the sensor, physiological data associated with blood flow through the coronary vein, determine, based on the physiological data, a progression of the reperfusion therapy delivered to the myocardium, and control, based on the progression of the reperfusion therapy, inflation of the balloon while the intravascular reperfusion therapy device is positioned within the coronary vein such that the back pressure within the coronary vein is controlled.