Patent ID: 6159139
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A radiation centering catheter assembly for maintaining the patency of a body lumen for a period of time sufficient to permit delivery of a radiation dose to the body lumen while permitting blood perfusion, comprising:an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;a radiation source lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongated catheter body for receiving a radiation source to provide a radiation dose to the body lumen;a spring wire centering mechanism located near the distal end of the elongated catheter body, the spring wire centering mechanism including a plurality of spring wire legs coupled to at least one collar-like member disposed around the elongated catheter body the spring wire centering mechanism being movable between a retracted position and an expanded position such that when in the expanded position, the mechanism contacts a portion of the body lumen and centers at least the adjacent portion of the catheter body within the body lumen while permitting perfusion of blood past and over the spring wire centering mechanism; anda retractable sheath extending coaxially over the elongated catheter body and being movable in the lengthwise direction along the elongated catheter body, the retractable sheath being movable to cover the spring wire centering mechanism to place the mechanism in the retracted position and to uncover the mechanism to deploy the mechanism into the expanded position.