Releasable microcapsules on balloon catheters

• US 5,893,840 A
• Filed: 04/24/1996
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dror, Michael, Hull, Vincent W., Schwartz, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): STRIGHT, RONALD K
• Application Number:
  US08/637,112
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96-101, 604/265, 604/266, 604/49, 604/52, 604/53, 606/191-196, 606/198, 606/108, 606/197, 128/898, 623/1, 623/11, 623/12, 623/66
• US Class Current: 604/103.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1081 having sheaths or the like for covering the balloon but not forming a permanent part of the balloon, e.g. retractable, dissolvable or tearable sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

Balloon catheters are prepared to include body affecting chemicals within microcapsules on the exterior of the balloon either alone or with a stent. The coating releases from the balloon when the balloon is inflated into contact with the lumen to be treated. The device provides accurate placement of the dosage required at the location in need of treatment. A sheath may be employed over the balloon and microcapsules to prevent the microcapsules from being rubbed off during delivery through a body lumen. The catheters are especially useful in balloon angioplasty procedures.

Claims

1. In a catheter of the type comprising a catheter body and a balloon positioned along the length of the catheter body, said catheter including means for remotely inflating and deflating said balloon;

the improvement comprising;

a. a plurality of microcapsules applied to the exterior of said balloon, each of said microcapsules carrying a drug or combination of drugs for treatment or diagnostics within a body lumen wherein the microcapsules are attached to the balloon by an adhesive which stretches and ruptures the microcapsules as the balloon expands; and

b. a stent on the exterior of said balloon, the stent comprising a plurality of elements forming a hollow cylinder, the elements spaced apart along the cylinder with each of the elements extending around the cylinder, and each of the elements having zig-zags therein taking a generally longitudinal direction along the cylinder and then reversing their direction and lying flat with respect to the cylinder such that the zig-zags open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second, expanded diameter, exposing the balloon and applied microcapsules on the balloon between the elements for direct contact with a body lumen.

2. In a catheter of the type comprising a catheter body and a balloon positioned along the length of the catheter body, said catheter including means for remotely inflating and deflating said balloon;

the improvement comprising;

a. a plurality of microcapsules applied to the exterior of said balloon, each of said microcapsules carrying a drug or combination of drugs for treatment or diagnostics within a body lumen which rupture under applied pressure to release the drug or combination of drugs for treatment or diagnostics wherein the microcapsules are attached to the balloon by an adhesive which stretches and ruptures the microcapsules as the balloon expands; and

b. a stent on the exterior of said balloon, the stent comprising a plurality of elements forming a hollow cylinder and which open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second, expanded diameter, exposing the balloon and applied microcapsules on the balloon between the elements for direct contact with a body lumen.