MICROPOROUS BALLOON CATHETER, DELIVERY SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE

摘要

A microporous balloon catheter, and a balloon catheter drug delivery system in which the balloon catheter is formed of a semi-compliant or compliant material, and in which the pores of the balloon remain substantially closed at inflation pressures below a selected threshold, and open at higher pressure to emit jets of a drug that penetrate surrounding tissue without substantial trauma. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for perforating a balloon catheter by femtolaser pulses. The apparatus may be used for treating a variety of conditions. For example, in treating vascular obstructions, a pressure below the threshold pressure may be used for performing PTCA before drug delivery.