Catheter system having fullerenes and method

An intravascular balloon catheter system for treating a patient's blood vessel comprising:

• a flexible catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends;
• a translucent balloon attached to the catheter shaft near its distal end;
• a light source within the balloon for selectively emitting light;
• and
• means for resisting restenosis, including a fullerene coating adhered to the outer surface of to balloon.

A medical therapy system for treating a site within the body of a

• patient by reducing restenosis, comprising:
• a catheter having a flexible catheter shaft with proximal and distal ends, a translucent balloon defining an interior volume attached to the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft, and a restenosis-reducing fullerene coating on the outer surface of the balloon;
• a first and second lumen defined by the catheter shaft, the first lumen opening into the interior of the balloon for allowing a pressurized fluid to selectively enter and exit the balloon to selectively inflate and deflate the balloon, the second lumen extending into the balloon interior volume, wherein a portion of said catheter shaft defines a portion of the second lumen that is translucent;
• at least one light fiber having at least a portion extending through said second lumen into the balloon interior volume, said portion of said light fiber adapted to selectively emit light within the translucent portion of the second lumen, thereby illuminating at least a portion of balloon and fullerene coating;
• such that the coated balloon is adapted to inhibit restenosis.

An intravascular balloon catheter for treating a patient's blood vessel and reducing restenosis comprising:

• a flexible catheter shaft with proximal and distal ends, a translucent balloon defining an interior volume attached to the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft, and a fullerene coating on the outer surface of the balloon;
• a first and second lumen defined by the catheter shaft, the first lumen into the interior of the balloon for allowing a pressurized fluid to selectively enter and exit the balloon to selectively inflate and deflate the balloon, the second lumen extending into the balloon interior volume, wherein a portion of said catheter shaft defines a portion of the second lumen that is translucent;
• and
• means for reducing restenosis.

A method of medically treating a site within the vascular system of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a predetermined amount of fullerenes into close proximity or direct contact with a site to be treated;
• b) exposing said fullerenes to a selectively activated light source such that said fullerenes absorb light energy, whereby said fullerenes become active;
• c) the active fullerenes then creating oxygen radicals in the local region near to the site;
• and
• d) the oxygen radicals acting to reduce a likelihood of restenosis from occurring at the site by inhibiting the proliferation of cells near the site.