Dilatation catheter

Abstract

Abstract The invention concerns a catheter (1) with, at one end, a dilatable balloon (3) which is used for instance for the treatment of stenoses in blood vessels. The balloon also carries a medicine, thrombolytic, adhesive or similar active substance to be applied in the area to be treated. The balloon wall may have a number of pore-like holes extending through it to allow the active substance inside the balloon to pass through when the balloon expands and hence to reach the inside wall of the blood vessel. The outer surface of the balloon may also carry a porous, spongy layer containing an active substance which is at least partly squeezed out when the layer presses against the blood-vessel wall. If necessary, the balloon may have both the pore-like holes and the spongy layer. In addition, it is possible for the balloon to carry on its surface an annular layer which contains the active ingredient and which can be detached and can adhere to the inside wall of the blood vessel.

Inventors

• 👤 Hansjörg JUST
• 👤 Ulrich Solzbach

Bibliographic Details