Medical assembly with transducer for local delivery of a therapeutic substance and method of using same
US7166098B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1086
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical assembly is used to deliver a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated. The medical assembly may optionally be used in conjunction with both macroporous and microporous balloons. The medical assembly may optionally be modified so that a plurality of transducers are used, wherein the distal end of a transducer is pos…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.