Irradiation catheter and method of use

Abstract

Abstract This invention is a catheter (10) for use with a radioactive source (16) within the catheter (10) to irradiate a selected area of a blood vessel in combination with angioplasty procedures, to prevent restenosis of that area of the blood vessel. The catheter (10) has a guidewire channel (18) formed near its distal end to facilitate use of the catheter (10) as a rapid exchange catheter, allowing insertion of the catheter over a guidewire (20) also used in performance of an angioplasty procedure. The catheter (10) can also have a guidewire channel (19) formed near its proximal end to provide O-ring sealing surface and to facilitate free guidewire movement. The catheter (10) also has a closed end (13) to retain the radioactive source (16) within the catheter (10). The catheter (10) can be also be provided with a centering balloon (22) or a set of centering wire loops (50) to center the radioactive source (16) radially within the blood vessel.

Inventors

• 👤 Paul S. Teirstein

Bibliographic Details