Photodynamic therapy balloon catheter with microporous membrane

A photodynamic therapy balloon catheter for activating treatment fluid to a location within a living body, the catheter comprising:

• an elongated tubular assembly having a proximal portion which remains outside of the living body when in use, the assembly also having a distal portion which is inserted into the living body when in use;
• an optical fiber extending along the length of said assembly, said optical fiber having a generally distal light energy emanating section;
• said elongated tubular assembly having a light passing inner member cylindrically surrounding said optical fiber and extending longitudinally along the length of the light energy emanating section of said optical fiber;
• a light-passing inflatable porous balloon member having a plurality of holes to permit treatment fluid to pass through said balloon member and positioned at said distal portion of the assembly, said balloon member being in fluid-passing communication with said proximal portion of the assembly, and said balloon member cylindrically surrounding said inner tubular member and extending longitudinally along the length of said inner tubular member;
• a light-passing fluid material positioned between said inner member and said inflatable balloon member;
• a light source communicating with said optical fiber to deliver light energy to said light energy emanating section;
• a light-passing microporous membrane member having a plurality of micropores to permit treatment fluid to pass through said microporous membrane and positioned over the outer surface of said inflatable porous balloon member;
• and
• at least one of said inner member, said porous balloon member, said fluid material, and said microporous membrane member includes light-reflective material which upon light emanating through the light energy emanating section, reflects said light energy and activates photodynamic treatment fluid at a location within a living body.

A method for activating treatment fluid at a location within a living body, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a photodynamic catheter for insertion into a living body, the catheter including an elongated tubular assembly having a proximal portion, a distal portion;
• an optical fiber having a generally distal light energy emanating section, a light-passing inner member cylindrically surrounding said optical fiber, a light- passing inflatable porous balloon member, a light-passing microporous membrane at said distal portion of the assembly;
• and a light source communicating with said optical fiber to deliver light energy to said light energy emanating section;
• said providing step includes adding a supply of reflective material to at least one of said inner member, said porous balloon member, and said microporous membrane;
• transluminally inserting the catheter to a location within the living body;
• introducing a photodynamic treatment fluid through the photodynamic catheter and to the location within the living body;
• transmitting light energy from said light source using the optical fiber through said light energy emanating section to the location within the body wherein the photodynamic treatment fluid is introduced;
• activating the photodynamic treatment fluid in vivo by emanating light through the light energy emanating section, with the light reflecting from said reflective material, thereby illuminating and activating the photodynamic treatment fluid at said location within the living body;
• and
• withdrawing the catheter from the living body.

A method for activating treatment fluid at a location within a living body, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a photodynamic catheter for insertion into a living body, the catheter including an elongated, tubular assembly having a proximal portion, a distal portion;
• an optical fiber having a generally distal light energy emanating section, a light-passing inner member cylindrically surrounding said optical fiber, a light- passing inflatable porous balloon member, a light-passing microporous membrane at said distal portion of the assembly;
• and a light source communicating with said optical fiber to deliver light energy to said light energy emanating section;
• transluminally inserting the photodynamic catheter to a location within the living body;
• introducing a photodynamic treatment fluid through the catheter to the location within the living body;
• flowing a light-passing fluid material between said inner member and said inflatable porous balloon member, and wherein said fluid material includes light-reflective material;
• transmitting light from said light source using the optical fiber through said light energy emanating section to the location within the body wherein the photodynamic treatment fluid is introduced;
• activating the photodynamic treatment fluid by emanating light through the light energy emanating section, with the light reflecting from said reflective material, thereby illuminating and activating the photodynamic treatment fluid at said location within the living body;
• and
• withdrawing the catheter from the living body.