Apparatus and methods for intraluminal photothermoforming

A method for providing a polymeric material on a tissue surface, comprising:

• positioning, proximate a tissue surface, a polymeric article that contains a chromophore having an absorption characteristic;
• exposing the polymeric article to electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range that matches the absorption characteristic of the chromophore for a period of time sufficient to soften at least a portion of the article;
• and
• expanding the article against the tissue surface and allowing the article to harden against the tissue surface, the chromophore, polymeric article, and wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation being selected such that the method is effected under conditions tolerable by the tissue surface.

A device for implanting a formable polymeric article into a patient at a tissue surface, comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal region and a distal region that is adapted for insertion into a patient;
• an emitter of a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation positionable at the distal region of the shaft;
• and
• a polymeric article positionable at the distal region of the shaft in optical communication with the emitter, the polymeric article containing a chromophore in an amount sufficient to absorb sufficient radiation from the emitter to soften the article to the extent that it becomes formable, the wavelength range of the emitter and the chromophore being matched such that, in conjunction with the arrangement of the emitter and the article, a surface of the polymeric article facing the tissue surface can be rendered sufficiently fluent to be moldable in vivo into intimate and conforming contact with the tissue surface without damaging the tissue surface.

Catheter apparatus for implanting a formable polymeric article into a tissue lumen or hollow organ of a patient, comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal region and a distal region adapted for insertion into a patient;
• an optical emitter, having an emission spectrum, positionable at the diatal region of the shaft and connected, via an optical fiber, to an energy source near the proximal end of the shaft;
• and
• a polymeric article positionable at the distal region of the shaft in optical communication with the optical emitter, the article containing a chromophore matched with the emission spectrum such that, in conjunction with the arrangement of the optical emitter and the article, the polymeric article can be rendered sufficiently fluent for molding within the patient without damaging tissue adjacent the article.