Thomas Weldon

US Patent:

63060744, Oct 23, 2001

Filed:

May 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/304783

Inventors:

Ron Waksman - Rockville MD
Thomas D. Weldon - Gainesville GA
Raphael F. Meloul - Atlanta GA
Richard A. Hillstead - Duluth GA
Jonathan J. Rosen - Alpharetta GA
George K. Bonnoitt - Decatur GA
David S. Halpern - Alpharetta GA
Charles E. Larsen - Cumming GA
Ian R. Crocker - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Novoste Corporation - Norcross GA
Emory University - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

A61M 2902
A61N 500

US Classification:

600 7

Abstract:

Apparatus and method are described for delivery of a treating element, such as a radiation source, through a catheter to a desired site in the intraluminal passageways 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 elongated flexible catheter tube having proximal and distal end portions, with a lumen extending therebetween, and a diameter sufficiently small for insertion in to a patient's intraluminal passageways. One or more treating elements, such as a capsule or pellet containing radioactive material, is positionable within the lumen and movable between the proximal and distal end portions under the force of liquid flowing through the lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.

US Patent:

58998829, May 4, 1999

Filed:

Apr 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/628231

Inventors:

Ron Waksman - Rockville MD
Thomas D. Weldon - Gainesville GA
Raphael F. Meloul - Atlanta GA
Richard A. Hillstead - Duluth GA
Jonathan J. Rosen - Alpharetta GA
George K. Bonnoitt - Decatur GA
David S. Halpern - Alpharetta GA
Charles E. Larsen - Cumming GA
Ian R. Crocker - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Novoste Corporation - Norcross GA
Emory University - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

604 96

Abstract:

Apparatus and method are described for delivery of a treating element, such as a radiation source, through a catheter to a desired site in the intraluminal passageways 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 elongated flexible catheter tube having proximal and distal end portions, with a lumen extending therebetween, and a diameter sufficiently small for insertion in to a patient's intraluminal passageways. One or more treating elements, such as a capsule or pellet containing radioactive material, is positionable within the lumen and movable between the proximal and distal end portions under the force of liquid flowing through the lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.