Other

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Baylor College of Medicine

Neocardia, LLC

Albert E Raizner

Anthony J Bradshaw

Steven Weinberg

Robert L Roberts

Steven L Weinberg

Brent A French

Craig J Hartley

Linda L Demer

Avanindra Jain

A source wire having a radioactive source at its distal tip is used to treat a blood vessel within a patient's body by localized in vivo radiation to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel, including restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The source wire is advanced to the target site along the intravascular system of the patient's body from a point external to the body. The source wire is preferably a solid lead of substantially uniform thickness along its entire length, composed of a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol). Alternatively, the wire may be a cable composed of multiple strands of the alloy of substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire length of each strand. The alloy has desired characteristics of superelasticity for transitioning into and out of a stress-induced martensitic state as it is advanced through tortuous lumens for passage into the coronary arteries. The wire also is of a diameter suitable for passage into the coronary arteries, and the distal end of the wire may be tapered for ease of entry into narrowed portions. The targeted tissue is irradiated only briefly, with the radioactive source of the source wire positioned in the lumen of the coronary artery so as to deliver a substantially uniform dosage of radiation to the walls of the lumen.

Radioactive source wire, apparatus and treatment methods

Gene transfer vectors, especially adenoviral vectors, and synthetic vectors capable of emulating specific viral functions, that carry gene sequences capable of ameliorating or preventing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease are disclosed. Such methods can be used to treat restenosis, especially when incident to injury by angioplasty.

Adenoviral vector for inhibiting restenosis

A source wire having a radioactive source at its distal tip is used to treat tissue at a target site within a patient's body by localized in vivo radiation. The source wire is advanced to the target site along the intravascular system of the patient's body from a point external to the body. The source wire is a solid lead of substantially uniform thickness along its entire length, composed of nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol). Alternatively, the wire may be a cable composed of multiple strands of the alloy of substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire length of each strand. The alloy has desired characteristics including flexibility, springiness, slipperiness, mechanical strength and shape memory retention, and the source wire is imparted with certain stressed and unstressed states that depend on flexation of the wire and a prescribed transition temperature. The wire has a diameter suitable for passage into the coronary arteries, and the distal end of the wire is tapered for ease of entry into narrowed portions. The tissue to be treated lies along a portion of the interior surface of a coronary artery which has been subjected to an angioplasty procedure to reduce blockage of the lumen and thereby improve blood flow. However, the angioplasty procedure may itself initiate restenosis. The targeted tissue is irradiated only briefly, with the radioactive source of the source wire centered as much as practicable in the lumen of the coronary artery, as by use a channeled centering balloon. This allows substantially uniform radiotherapy of the targeted tissue.

Method of treating a body vessel or duct with radiation from within the lumen

A method and apparatus for intravascular radiotherapy for prevention of stenosis following angioplasty or other trauma to coronary arteries caused by smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in which a uniform dosage of radiation is delivered to the walls of the artery by positively positioning a radioactive source at the radial center of the artery being treated.

Method and apparatus for uniform radiation treatment of vascular lumens

A novel method and device for performing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty to treat occlusive artery disease is disclosed. The method involves simultaneous measurement and display of the fluid pressure and volume existing within the balloon catheter as the procedure is performed. Information is produced which is useful in determining the efficacy of the procedure as it is performed which obviates the need for arbitrary repeated inflations. The information is also useful in the subsequent management of the patient's disease.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Albert E Raizner