Method and apparatus for vascular neuromuscular blockade

• US 6,579,847 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cerevast Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Imarx Therapeutics, Inc. (Sycamore Entertainment Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Unger, Evan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Low, Christopher S. F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohamed, Abdel A.
• Application Number:
  US09/563,765
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 514/2, 514/21, 427/2.24, 427/2.28, 427/338, 623/1, 623/11, 604/265
• US Class Current: 514/19.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4886 Metalloendopeptidases (3.4.24), e.g. collagenase
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/432 Inhibitors, antagonists A61L2300/402 - A61L2300/43 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/085 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L29/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 71/02 Polyalkylene oxides

Abstract

Method and apparatus of vascular neuromuscular blockade including percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.

Claims

1. A method of reducing restenosis of a blood vessel comprising:

providing an endovascular device carrying a quantity of botulinum toxin;

percutaneously inserting the endovascular device into an affected region of a vessel; and

applying, by contact from the endovascular device, the botulinum toxin to a muscular media of the vessel.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of applying the botulinum toxin to a muscular media of the vessel includes diminishing smooth muscle proliferation by neuromuscular blockade.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the endovascular device has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the step of applying the botulinum toxin comprises positioning the endovascular device into the vessel in the collapsed configuration and driving the botulinum toxin into the muscular media of the vessel by expanding the endovascular device to the expanded configuration.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of providing an endovascular device comprises providing a microvascular injection device comprising a balloon catheter having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a chamber, the outer wall having micropores formed therein, the botulinum toxin carried in the chamber and expelled through the micropores in the expanded configuration.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of providing an endovascular device comprises applying a coating of the botulinum toxin to the endovascular device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the endovascular device is selected from a group consisting of a stent, a biodegradable stent, an angioplasty balloon, and a graft.