Radiation emitting sleeve catheter and methods
AssigneeLocalmed, Inc.
InventorsEnrique J. Klein, Aaron V. Kaplan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides methods and devices for delivering low level radiation to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia following angioplasty or other intravascular procedures. In an exemplary method, a balloon is inflated within a stenosed region of a blood vessel to produce a treated region. The balloon is then deflated and a radioactive source within a sleeve is aligned over the deflated balloon. The balloon is again inflated at the treated region to engage the sleeve having the radioactive source against the blood vessel within the treated region for from 1 to 40 minutes to deliver a sufficient dosage of radiation to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia.
Claims37
A radiation-emitting device adapted for use in combination with a balloon catheter having a balloon at a distal end said device comprising:
- structure which is adapted to be removably securable over the balloon and expansible upon balloon inflation, and wherein the balloon-securable structure is collapsible upon balloon deflation;
- and
- a radioactive source on or within the balloon-securable structure.
A radiation-emitting sleeve catheter system comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a radially expansible and collapsible sleeve disposed at the distal end of the shaft, said sleeve having an internal lumen for receiving a balloon on a balloon catheter to allow the. sleeve to be expanded upon balloon inflation and to be collapsed upon balloon deflation;
- and
- a radioactive source secured to the radially expansible sleeve.
A method for performing angioplasty, said method comprising:
- inflating a balloon attached to a shaft within a stenosed region of a blood vessel to produce a treated region;
- deflating the balloon;
- placing a radioactive source over the deflated balloon;
- and
- reinflating the balloon to engage the radioactive source against or in close proximity to the blood vessel wall within the treated region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.