Method and apparatus for delivering an agent to a kidney

An apparatus comprising:

• a primary cannula having dimensions suitable for insertion into one of a renal artery or a renal segmental artery, the primary cannula comprising a first end, a second end and a medial portion along a length of the primary cannula between the first end and the second end;
• an aperture through a wall of the primary cannula at a region within the medial portion;
• and
• the first end having a first port and a second port, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the aperture and the second port is adapted for advancing a guidewire therethrough.

An apparatus comprising;

• a guidewire cannula having dimensions for insertion into one of a renal artery or a renal segmental artery;
• a dilatable balloon assembly coupled to the guidewire cannula comprising a balloon having a distal taper wall, wherein the distal taper wall consists of pores along only a region of the distal taper wall defined by a diameter of a lumen of the renal artery;
• and
• a delivery cannula having an end within the balloon for dilating the balloon assembly.

An apparatus comprising:

• an intravascular stent having a plurality of struts connected together by a plurality of links;
• the intravascular stent is dimensioned to be deployed in one of a renal artery or a renal segmental artery;
• and
• wherein the stent comprises a treatment agent loaded within depots having openings along a lumen of a blood vessel within a path of blood flow, the treatment agent is capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy for delivery to a kidney.