Patent ID: 6234952
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A method for treating an occlusion or a constriction in a bodily conduit passageway having an inner surface, comprising:maneuvering a flexible guide wire through the passageway to the occlusion or constriction;maneuvering a flexible, elongated catheter through the passageway to the occlusion or constriction, said catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said catheter provided with a hollow treatment lumen extending within said catheter, said catheter further provided with an exterior surface and a dilatation balloon affixed to a portion of said exterior surface at approximately said distal end of said catheter, said catheter further provided with a centering balloon affixed to a portion of said exterior surface at approximately said distal end of said catheter;inflating and deflating said dilatation balloon at least once to reduce the occlusion or open the constriction;inflating said centering balloon after said dilatation balloon has been deflated;maneuvering a radiation source through said hollow treatment lumen to the occlusion or the constriction;treating the occlusion or constriction for a period of time with said radiation source;deflating said centering balloon;removing said guide wire, said radiation source and said catheter from the passageway.