VASCULAR SYSTEM TREATING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for delivering a treating element (22), such as a radiation source, through a catheter (60) to a desired site in a vascular system of a patient, such as a coronary artery, for inhibiting the formation of scar tissue such as may occur in restenosis following balloon angioplasty. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible catheter tube (20) having proximal end and distal end for positioning at the selected area of the vascular system and defining first, second, third, and fourth lumens. The first, second, and third lumens extend in generally parallel relationship between the proximal and distal ends of the tube, the second and third lumens being in fluid-tight communication at the distal end of the tube. The fourth lumen is open at the distal end of the tube for receiving a guidewire, and a flexible balloon membrane is carried at the distal end of the tube, the balloon membrane being in fluid communication with the first lumen for inflation when pressurized fluid is introduced through the first lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.