Soft body catheter with low friction lumen

摘要

The disclosure is directed to radiation catheter devices, methods for controlled application of irradiation to tissue at a body site, such as a cavity formed after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer, using such radiation catheter devices, solutions for forming a more lubricious luminal surface and method for lining lumens of such devices to improve the frictional characteristics thereof. The catheter device includes a flexible elongated shaft which is formed of low durometer polymeric material, which can be readily folded or coiled for securing the shaft to or under the skin of the patient and a radiation lumen lined with high durometer polymeric material to improve the frictional characteristics. The elongated shaft has at least one inner lumen for receiving a radiation source which has a layer of high durometer polymeric material that provides lower surface friction to facilitate advancement of a radiation source therein.

主权项

1. An elongated catheter device for irradiating tissue surrounding a body cavity within a patient, comprising:
a. a treatment location on a distal portion of the catheter device; b. an elongated flexible shaft which has a longitudinal axis, which is formed at least in part of a low durometer polymeric material and which has a plurality of radiation delivery lumens extending about the longitudinal axis having surfaces formed of the low durometer polymeric material and configured to receive a radiation source; and c. each of said radiation delivery lumens having a coating that includes a polymeric solute material with a durometer substantially higher than the low durometer polymeric material of the flexible shaft that is deposited from a solution thereof onto the surfaces of said lumens so as to line said radiation delivery lumens and to provide improved frictional characteristics thereto.