Other

Baxter International Inc.

Isotech, Inc.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

David S Rosenthal

Stephen A Sosnowski

Brian Gannon

Jeffrey L Hammerly

This invention involves radioactive medical devices for inhibiting an undesirable hyperplastic response in biological tissue, and a method for making the radioactive medical devices. In a preferred embodiment, a medical device for inhibiting a hyperplastic response in biological tissue generally comprises polymeric hydrocarbon molecules forming the medical device and a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope occluded within the polymeric hydrocarbon molecules. Also in a preferred embodiment, a method of creating a medical device according to the present invention comprises: providing a first solvent in a container; introducing a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope into the first solvent; introducing a second solvent into the first solution so as to form a second solution; and introducing the medical device into the second solution, wherein the ionic components of the radioactive isotope migrate into the molecular structure of the medical device.

Radioactive medical devices for inhibiting a hyperplastic response and method of making radioactive medical devices

This invention involves radioactive medical devices for inhibiting an undesirable hyperplastic response in biological tissue, and a method for making the radioactive medical devices. In a first preferred embodiment, a medical device for inhibiting a hyperplastic response in biological tissue generally comprises polymeric hydrocarbon molecules forming the medical device and a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope occluded within the polymeric hydrocarbon molecules. In a second preferred embodiment, the medical device comprises a thrombogenic sponge having a radioisotope trapped within the structure of the sponge. Also in a preferred embodiment, a method of creating a medical device according to the present invention comprises: providing a first solvent in a container; introducing a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope into the first solvent; introducing a second solvent into the first solution so as to form a second solution; and introducing the medical device into the second solution, wherein the ionic components of the radioactive isotope migrate into the molecular structure of the medical device. In another aspect, a method of creating a medical device that inhibits a hyperplastic response in biological tissue comprises placing a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope in a fluid and permitting the salt or acid to disassociate in solution, submersing the sponge in the solution and permitting the radioactive isotopes to become trapped in the structure of the sponge.

Radioactive medical devices and methods of making radioactive medical devices

A surgical apparatus and a method to restore blood flow capacity to occluded and partially occluded arterial vessels is disclosed. More particularly, the invention is an endarterectomy instrument and a method associated with its use. The instrument combines a separation ring with a wire loop at the distal end of a resilient, flexible catheter. The separation ring separates the plaque and the inner wall from a segment of an occluded artery. The wire loop is then constricted around the undesired material. IN a preferred embodiment the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is used to sever, snare and remove the separated inner arterial wall with the occlusion. In an alternative embodiment, the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is heated by passing a current therethrough in order to sever the undesired material from the arterial wall. The undesired occlusion is removed along with the inner layers of the artery by snaring the material with the wire loop and removing the instrument from the vessel in a single step.

Apparatus and method for performing an endarterectomy

Methods for utilizing a device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to a) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Disclosed are methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Method of endoscopically visualized occlusion of the side branches of an anatomical passageway

Generally described, the present invention comprises a medical device for implantation in biological tissue and a method of making the medical device. The medical device comprises an organic compound forming at least a portion of the medical device and a beta radiation emitting element chemically bonded to the organic compound of the medical device. The beta emitter preferably causes the medical device to generate a beta radiation greater than 0.0002 .mu.Ci/cm. The beta radiation emitting element can be tritium preferably incorporated into the organic compound of the medical device by a Wilzbach process. The Wilzbach process involves an entropic exchange of the beta emitting element for elemental hydrogen in a vacuum sealed reaction chamber. On the other hand, the beta radiation emitting element may comprise Carbon 12, or other similar beta emitter, which is incorporated directly into the backbone of the organic compound prior to manufacturing the medical device from the organic compound. In another aspect of the present invention, rather than placing the medical device itself in a reaction chamber for incorporation of a beta emitting element, a mass of organic material may be placed in a reaction chamber. Again, a beta emitting element is preferably incorporated into the organic material via the Wilzbach process.

Radioactive medical devices for inhibiting a hyperplastic response of

The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Endoscopically-assisted device for endoluminal occlusion of anatomical

A radioactive suture for inhibiting an intimal hyperplastic response comprises a needle and a suture material having a radioactive beta-emitting element. This radioactive element is preferably chemically bonded to an organic substrate of the suture material. It is preferred that the radioactive suture material generates a beta radiation greater than 0.0002 uCi/cm. A first preferred method for producing the radioactive suture comprises the steps of placing the suture needle and the suture material in a sealed reaction chamber. Once the suture is in the reaction chamber, an ionized beta radiation emitting element, preferably ionized tritium, is introduced into the chamber. While in the chamber, an entropic exchange process begins wherein the beta radiation emitting element is exchanged for hydrogen molecules in the organic suture material. Once the desired level of tritium or other beta radiation emitting element is incorporated in the suture material, the reaction chamber is flushed. The suture is then rinsed, dried, removed from the reaction chamber, and packaged. In another aspect, a radioactive suture may be fabricated from an organic polypropylene material. A beta radiation emitting element, preferably tritium, is incorporated directly into a backbone of the organic polypropylene material. The now radioactive polypropylene material is extruded into a suture thread, which is attached to a suture needle and packaged for shipment and later use. Although not required by the present inventive method, the preferred embodiment of the organic polypropylene material comprises carbon 12.

Radioactive medical suture and method of making the same

Side branch occlusion catheter device having integrated endoscope for

This model rocket car carries a U-shaped tube with lower and upper straight segments connected at their front ends by a bight segment. The lower segment of the tube holds a model rocket engine which, upon ignition, first ejects gas out the back end to propel the car forward and after a burning time ejects gas from its front end forward into the tube. The upper segment of the tube holds a folded braking parachute, tethered to the car, which is blown out of the tube by the gas ejected from the front end of the engine and opens behind the car. Flame retardant wadding is in the upper segment of the tube directly in front of the folded parachute.

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Coral Springs, FL, United States of America

David S Rosenthal