Multi-function catheter and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-function catheter assembly for treating arterial plaques. The multifunction catheter comprises a flexible tubular catheter body, an inflatable balloon assembly capable of multi-stage inflation at a distal end of the catheter body, at least one fluid delivery conduit formed on the catheter body, and at least one balloon control conduit formed within the catheter body. The balloon, when inflated to a first stage inside a vessel at the treatment site, defines a chamber between the balloon and the vessel wall. The at least one fluid delivery conduit is adapted to permit the delivery of an agent into the chamber to dissolve a plaque. After the removal of the plaque, the balloon is further inflated to a second stage to install a stent in the space that is vacated by the plaque. The stent can be a pre-manufactured stent or a customized stent formed by filing the space between the balloon and the treated vessel wall with a fluent composition that is solidified in situ. The multi-function catheter may also be used for sealing off aneurysms, dilating vessel passages, and treating tumors and trauma.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIMS / RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 355,017 filed on Jan. 31, 2003 and entitled “MULTI-FUNCTION CATHETER AND USE THEREOF”, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 387,260, filed Jun. 6, 2002 and Provisional Application No. 60 / 353,305 filed Feb. 1, 2002, the entirety of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to medical devices and procedures for medical treatment. In particular, this invention relates to catheters used to access body spaces, such as a blood vessel, in humans and animals.BACKGROUND[0003]Catheters have been widely used to access the vascular system and other anatomical spaces in medical procedures. Catheters may be used for infusion of therapeutics and for the insertion or placement of substances or apparatuses for treating various disorders....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a multi-function catheter that can perform plaque removal and stent installation in a single procedure. The catheter has an inflatable balloon assembly, a fluid delivery conduit, and a balloon control conduit. The catheter can be used to remove arterial plaques using a chemical or enzyme as the plaque removing agent, treat an aneurysm by sealing off the area weakened by the aneurysm with a stent, permanently open a constricted vessel passage by dilating the constructed vessel passage and installing a stent, and oncology treatment by inducing necrosis of tumor cells. The catheter can also be used for trauma treatment to stop bleeding or remove blockage in vessels in wounded tissue. The invention is not limited to the specific structure, material, or methods described in the preferred embodiments, but includes any and all structures, materials, or methods that perform the claimed function."

Problems solved by technology

All these procedures usually cause some degree of biological reaction of the vessel wall, which often result in new growth and significant reduction of the vessel lumen (restenosis) at the treatment site.

A ruptured aneurysm can lead to internal bleeding that often results in severe impairment of body functions and even death.

The process, however, is often time-consuming and requires experienced operators.

Most catheters are specialized and can only be used for a specific medical procedure.

For example, an angioplasty catheter cannot be used for treating aneurysms and, vice versa, catheters designed for treating aneurysms cannot be used for stenosis.

The insertion and removal of the catheters are time-consuming processes and the catheters are expensive.

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