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Abstract

Systems and methods for occluding one or more blood vessels in a patient using variable viscosity fluids. The variable viscosity fluids are delivered in a liquefied state to the vasculature of the patient using a catheter or a micro-catheter. The blood vessels intended to be occluded may be any blood vessel within the vasculature of the patient, including capillary blood vessels in a capillary bed of the patient. The variable viscosity fluids may be an electro-rheologic fluid responsive to an electric current provided by an electric current generator, or may be a magneto-rheologic fluid responsive to a magnetic field provided by a magnetic field generator. The electric current generator is a power source that provides current to create a potential difference between electrodes placed about the blood vessels intended to be occluded. The potential difference between the electrodes changes the electro-rheologic fluid from the liquefied to a solidified state. Alternatively, a magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field that, when present, changes the magneto-rheologic fluid from the liquefied to a solidified state. When solidified, the variable viscosity fluids provide the desired occlusion of the intended blood vessel or vessels and restricts flow therethrough the blood vessels. When liquefied, the variable viscosity fluids permit flow therethrough the blood vessels. The duration of the occlusion depends on the presence of the electric current in the case of an electro-rheologic fluid, or on the presence of the magnetic field in the case of a magneto-rheologic fluid.

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