CATHETER SYSTEM HAVING TUBULAR RADIATION SOURCE WITH MOVABLE GUIDE WIRE

摘要

A radiation source (24) for inhibiting restenosis including a radiation delivery tube (20) having a radioactive distal region (24), the tube (20) being adapted to slide over a core wire (28) within a radiation delivery catheter (42). The core wire (28) is preferably in a slidable relation with the radiation delivery catheter (42). By withdrawing the core wire (28) to a proximal position, the flexibility of a distal region of the radiation delivery catheter (42) may be increased, thereby allowing the radiation delivery catheter (42) to navigate more tortuous paths and reach more distal sites. Before the radiation delivery tube (20) is advanced into the catheter distal region, the core wire (28) is preferably slid distally to a distal position. With the core wire (28) in the distal position, the core wire (28) may provide a structure that can be used to rapidly advance the radiation source (24) to the lesion site. The core wire (28) may also help constrain lateral movement of the radiation delivery tube (20) and help center the radiation delivery tube (20) within the vessel to provide a more even radiation exposure to the vessel walls.