Adjustable-length drug delivery balloon
AssigneeJ.W. Medical Systems Ltd.
InventorsDavid W. Snow, Patrick H. Ruane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drug or agent coated balloon having a length which is adjustable in vivo is described herein. The balloon is configured to be coated or coatable with one or more drugs where the coating may be applied prior to advancement into a patient body or prior to balloon expansion within the patient body. The length of the expandable portion of the balloon is adjustable to approximate a length of the tissue region to be treated. Moreover, the drug-coated balloon may be used alone or it may be utilized to deploy luminal prostheses having one or more linked or otherwise coupled segments.
Claims20
A balloon catheter, comprising:
- a catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned thereon;
- a sheath positioned over the balloon and which is axially movable with respect thereto, such that a length of an exposed and expandable portion of the balloon is adjustable, wherein the sheath defines at least one lumen therethrough in fluid communication between at least one opening defined along an inner surface of the sheath and a surface of the balloon;
- and
- at least one drug agent disposable through the at least one opening and upon at least the surface of the balloon.
A balloon catheter, comprising:
- a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon positioned thereon;
- a sheath positioned over the balloon and which is axially movable with respect thereto, such that a length of an exposed and expandable portion of the balloon is adjustable, wherein the sheath defines at least one lumen therethrough in fluid communication between at least one opening defined along the sheath and a surface of the expandable portion of the balloon;
- at least one drug agent disposable through the at least one opening and upon at least the expandable portion of the balloon;
- and
- a seal incorporated on the sheath that inhibits or prevents the release of excess drug agent over the surface of the expandable portion of the balloon.
A method of treating a region of a tissue wall, comprising:
- positioning a catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned thereon in proximity or adjacent to a region of the tissue wall;
- depositing at least one drug agent upon a surface of the balloon via a sheath;
- adjusting a position of the sheath with respect to the balloon such that an exposed portion of the balloon is coextensive with the region of tissue wall;
- and
- expanding the exposed portion of the balloon such that the at least one drug agent contacts the region of tissue wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.