Patent ID: 6179789
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61N

Abstract:
An ablation apparatus system comprising:a vascular stent, wherein the vascular stent comprises a non-radioactive elongated metallic tube having open ends, and a sidewall containing a multiplicity of openings therethrough to allow said stent to be expanded radially for deployment in a blood vessel subjected to angioplasty so as to maintain the lumen of blood vessel open; wherein a thin coating on an exterior surface of the tube, said coating including a carrier composed of a biocompatible material and having dispersed therein a radioactive substance;detachable conducting wire means for detachably contacting said tube, said detachable conducting wire means having a wire distal end and a wire proximal end, wherein the wire distal end is to contact the elongated metallic tube and the wire proximal end is coupled to a radiofrequency current source; anda radiofrequency current generating means for generating radiofrequency current and for generating heat within the tissue, wherein the radiofrequency current is transmitted to the vascular stent through the detachable conducting wire means so that the radioactive substance diffuses more quickly into the heated tissue for prolonged radiotherapy for tissue treatment.