Device and method for minimizing restenosis after angioplasty treatment

• US 20030181894A1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biolitec Pharma Marketing Ltd.
• Original Assignee: CeramOptec Industries Incorporated (Biolitec AG)
• Inventors: Neuberger, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 6,984,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22002 preventing restenosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent

Abstract

A novel device and method for preventing restenosis and streamlining the angioplasty procedure. The device and method provide a fiberoptic guidewire, or, alternatively, a light-conducting catheter, to decrease the size of the angioplasty device, decrease the overall time of the procedure, and increase the safety of the procedure. The present invention delivers radiation to a sclerotized area after balloon angioplasty treatment to prevent restenosis Radiation delivered via the catheter or fiberoptic guidewire discourages the cell proliferation and cell growth after angioplasty, thereby improving the chances of avoiding restenosis.

Claims

1. An improved angioplasty catheter system, which reduces occurrence of restenosis, wherein said improvement comprises:

means for providing homogeneous radiation to a treatment site after or during dilation of an occluded section; and

wherein said means is integrated into said angioplasty catheter system to provide said radiation more simply and seamlessly than current standards.

2. The improved angioplasty catheter according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing homogeneous radiation is a fiberoptic guidewire, which integrates guiding function with said means for providing homogeneous radiation, said fiberoptic guidewire comprising:

an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, whose proximal end is adapted to connect to an optical source; and

wherein said distal end has a section of standard guidewire attached to a distal end of a diffusing section which is positioned at said optical fiber'"'"'s distal end.

3. The improved angioplasty catheter according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing homogeneous radiation are optical fibers in channels within said catheter'"'"'s wall, which integrates catheter structure with said means for providing homogeneous radiation, said catheter wall at a distal end being transparent to said homogeneous radiation, providing means to scatter said radiation outward from said optical fibers at said distal end of said catheter, and wherein at least one of said channels also function to inflate a balloon of said angioplasty catheter system.

4. The improved angioplasty catheter system of claim 1, wherein said means for providing homogeneous radiation is making said catheter'"'"'s wall out of a material which transmits said radiation and providing a means for scattering outward said radiation at a distal end of said catheter.

5. A streamlined method of angioplasty to reduce occurrence of restenosis comprising the steps of:

introducing a photosensitizing moiety or its precursor into a patient and allowing it to enter said patient'"'"'s blood vessels;

using a balloon catheter to dilate an occluded section of a vessel at a treatment site;

providing means to homogeneously irradiate said dilated section at said treatment site, wherein said means to homogeneously irradiate are integrated with said balloon catheter; and

,

irradiating said treatment site to activate said photosensitizing moiety.

6. A streamlined method of angioplasty according to claim 8, wherein said integration of said means to homogeneously irradiate said treatment site with said catheter is selected from the group consisting of:

a fiberoptic guidewire, optical fibers in channels within said catheter'"'"'s wall, and making said catheter'"'"'s wall out of a material which transmits said radiation.