Methods and devices for treating diseased blood vessels
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsParris S. Wellman, Kevin S. Weadock
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Abstract
The present invention provides a mechanism by which the physical properties of diseased blood vessel walls can be manipulated to achieve an effective vessel lumen diameter for a prolonged period of time. The methods and devices of the present invention selectively isolate and treat the medial or adventitial layers of these diseased blood vessels. The invention is based on the delivery of proteolytic enzymes and crosslinking agents via specialized delivery devices to a select layer of the diseased blood vessel wall. By isolating and treating these layers of the artery, collagen degrading and collagen crosslinking agents can be delivered so as to affect the diameter of the blood vessels and control blood flow therein.
Claims7
1-14. (Canceled).
A catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, comprising:
- an elongate body adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel lumen;
- at least one expandable balloon mounted on the elongate body, the expandable balloon having an outer wall and an inflation lumen in fluid communication with a source of therapeutic agent;
- and
- at least one microneedle extending from the outer wall of the at least one balloon, the at least one microneedle having at least one injection port extending from a base of the microneedle to a distal-most end for delivering the therapeutic agent to a select layer within the vessel wall;
- wherein when the balloon is fully expanded within the blood vessel lumen at the diseased region, the microneedle effectively punctures and extends into the select layer of the vessel wall to be treated.
A sponge for delivering a therapeutic agent to a blood vessel having a diseased region within a vessel wall thereof, comprising:
- a body formed of biocompatible material and having loaded therein a therapeutic agent for time delayed release therefrom, the therapeutic agent being effective for treating a select layer of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region;
- wherein the body is an annular ring adapted to be thorascopically positioned circumferentially about an external surface of the diseased region of the blood vessel.
A syringe for delivering a therapeutic agent to a blood vessel having a diseased region within a vessel wall thereof, comprising:
- an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body including a reservoir for holding the therapeutic agent, the therapeutic agent being effective for treating a select layer of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region;
- at least one microneedle extending from the distal end of the elongate body and being in fluid communication with the reservoir, the at least one microneedle having at least one injection port extending from a base of the microneedle to a distal-most end for delivering the therapeutic agent to a select layer within the vessel wall, the at least one microneedle further having a predetermined length for effectively puncturing and extending into the select layer of the vessel wall to be treated;
- and
- a deployment mechanism at a proximal end of the elongate body for effecting controlled injection of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir through the injection port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.