US6338709B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intravascular radiation therapy device and method of use
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-19
•
Granted: 2002-01-15
•
Expires: 2018-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A radiation delivering catheter is positioned away from the walls of the vessel to be treated, e.g. at a stenosis site, so that the radiation flux impacting the walls is more uniform. In one embodiment, one or more balloons are used, and in another, one or more expandable structures. In other embodiments, a radiation source residing within a balloon is shielded from the vessel walls when the balloon is not inflated, but exposes the vessel walls to radiation when the balloon is inflated.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Geoffrion
- 👤 Gholam Reza Zadno-Azizi
- 👤 Samuel L. Omaleki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1002; A61N2005/1003; A61N2005/1005; A61N2005/1019; A61N2005/1021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner guidewire sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner guidewire such that said inner guidewire guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner guidewire, said inner guidewire and said expandable structure configured such that said expandable structure can be positioned distal to said segment; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports both said distal end portion of said inner guidewire and said distal end portion of said radiation catheter to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner guidewire sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner guidewire such that said inner guidewire guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner guidewire, said inner guidewire and said expandable structure configured such that said expandable structure can be positioned distal to said segment; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports both said distal end portion of said inner guidewire and said distal end portion of said radiation catheter to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 , in which said at least one expandable structure is one expandable structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said guidewire is hollow.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel, such that the expanded structure is in contact with the vessel but distal to the segment to be treated; providing a catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel, such that the expanded structure is in contact with the vessel but distal to the segment to be treated; providing a catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising: contracting the expandable structure after treatment; and removing the expandable structure and the catheter from the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A radiation device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter; a guidewire within said catheter for directing said catheter through the vessel, said guidewire comprising a centering device for generally centering said guidewire within the vessel; and a radioactive source fastened directly onto said catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A radiation device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter; a guidewire within said catheter for directing said catheter through the vessel, said guidewire comprising a centering device for generally centering said guidewire within the vessel; and a radioactive source fastened directly onto said catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 6 , further comprising a retractable shield that surrounds said radioactive source when the vascular segment is not being treated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 6 , in which said radioactive source is bonded onto said catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said guidewire comprises Nitinol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said balloon is inflated with fluid that passes through said inner guidewire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said balloon is compliant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sheath for shielding the vessel from radiation when said segment is not being treated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 , said treating the vascular segment comprising retracting a sheath to expose said segment to radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 , comprising positioning the expandable structure distal to and within about 4 cm of said segment during treatment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 , said expanding comprising inflating the balloon with fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the inner member comprises a guidewire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the guidewire is hollow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the guidewire comprises Nitinol.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a non-inflatable catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner member sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner member such that said inner member guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner member for securing said inner member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said inner member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a non-inflatable catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner member sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner member such that said inner member guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner member for securing said inner member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said inner member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner member sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner member such that said inner member guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner member for securing said inner member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said inner member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel and to position said radioactive source at the center of the vessel.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate inner member sized to fit within said radiation catheter, said radiation catheter sliding on said inner member such that said inner member guides said radiation catheter to said segment of the vessel; at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of said inner member for securing said inner member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said inner member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel and to position said radioactive source at the center of the vessel.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate member that slides relative to said radiation catheter; an expandable structure at a distal end portion of said member for securing said member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel when one of said expandable structure and said source is distal to and spaced apart from the other of said expandable structure and said source.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for treating a segment of a vessel in a patient, comprising: a catheter for delivering radiation; an elongate member that slides relative to said radiation catheter; an expandable structure at a distal end portion of said member for securing said member within the vessel; and a radioactive source for treating the vascular segment, said radioactive source at a distal end portion of said radiation catheter, wherein said expandable structure supports said distal end portion of said member to generally center said distal end portion of said radiation catheter within the vessel when one of said expandable structure and said source is distal to and spaced apart from the other of said expandable structure and said source.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel; providing a non-inflatable catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel; providing a non-inflatable catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel; providing a catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel and positioned at the center of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of treating a segment in a vessel, comprising: inserting an elongate inner member into the vessel; expanding at least one expandable structure at a distal end portion of the inner member to support the distal end portion of the inner member in the vessel; providing a catheter having radiation material; guiding the catheter over the inner member so that the radiation material is within said segment of the vessel and positioned at the center of the vessel; and treating the vascular segment by exposing it to radiation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said elongate member is hollow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said elongate member comprises Nitinol.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 28 , wherein said balloon is inflated with fluid that passes through said elongate member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 28 , wherein said balloon is compliant.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 21 , further comprising a sheath for shielding the vessel from radiation when said segment is not being treated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said elongate member is hollow.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said elongate member comprises Nitinol.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 34 , wherein said balloon is inflated with fluid that passes through said elongate member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 34 , wherein said balloon is compliant.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 22 , further comprising a sheath for shielding the vessel from radiation when said segment is not being treated.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein said elongate member is hollow.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein said elongate member comprises Nitinol.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein said expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 40 , wherein said balloon is inflated with fluid that passes through said elongate member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 40 , wherein said balloon is compliant.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 23 , further comprising a sheath for shielding the vessel from radiation when said segment is not being treated.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising: contracting the expandable structure after treatment; and removing the expandable structure and the catheter from the vessel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , said treating the vascular segment comprising retracting a sheath to expose said segment to radiation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 , comprising positioning the expandable structure distal to and within about 4 cm of said segment during treatment.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the inner member comprises a guidewire.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the guidewire is hollow.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the guidewire comprises Nitinol.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising: contracting the expandable structure after treatment; and removing the expandable structure and the catheter from the vessel.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 , said treating the vascular segment comprising retracting a sheath to expose said segment to radiation.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 , comprising positioning the expandable structure distal to and within about 4 cm of said segment during treatment.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the expandable structure comprises a balloon.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the inner member comprises a guidewire.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein the guidewire is hollow.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein the guidewire comprises Nitinol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-01-14 | 2005-07-16 | 2006-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-14 | 2009-07-16 | 2010-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-14 | 2013-07-16 | 2014-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |