Abstract: A source wire having a radioactive source at its distal tip is used to treat a blood vessel within a patient's body by localized in vivo radiation to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel, including restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The source wire is advanced to the target site along the intravascular system of the patient's body from a point external to the body. The source wire is preferably a solid lead of substantially uniform thickness along its entire length, composed of a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol). Alternatively, the wire may be a cable composed of multiple strands of the alloy of substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire length of each strand. The alloy has desired characteristics of superelasticity for transitioning into and out of a stress-induced martensitic state as it is advanced through tortuous lumens for passage into the coronary arteries.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to treat the wall of a blood vessel from within the lumen thereof with a radiation catheter that includes a working or radiotherapy lumen, a longitudinally channeled distal balloon, and a balloon inflation lumen. The method includes steps of inserting the catheter into the vessel lumen until the balloon is adjacent a target site of the vessel wall to be treated, inflating the balloon to substantially center the catheter radiotherapy lumen within the vessel lumen at the target site while allowing perfusion of blood past the inflated balloon through channels formed by the balloon, advancing a radioactive source into the catheter radiotherapy lumen to position the source within a region of that lumen along a portion of the catheter occupied by the balloon; and withdrawing the source after it has been positioned within that region of the radiotherapy lumen for a predetermined interval of time.

Abstract: Gene transfer vectors, especially adenoviral vectors, and synthetic vectors capable of emulating specific viral functions, that carry gene sequences capable of ameliorating or preventing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease are disclosed. Such methods can be used to treat restenosis, especially when incident to injury by angioplasty.

Abstract: A source wire having a radioactive source at its distal tip is used to treat tissue at a target site within a patient's body by localized in vivo radiation. The source wire is advanced to the target site along the intravascular system of the patient's body from a point external to the body. The source wire is a solid lead of substantially uniform thickness along its entire length, composed of nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol). Alternatively, the wire may be a cable composed of multiple strands of the alloy of substantially uniform thickness throughout the entire length of each strand. The alloy has desired characteristics including flexibility, springiness, slipperiness, mechanical strength and shape memory retention, and the source wire is imparted with certain stressed and unstressed states that depend on flexation of the wire and a prescribed transition temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intravascular radiotherapy for prevention of stenosis following angioplasty or other trauma to coronary arteries caused by smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in which a uniform dosage of radiation is delivered to the walls of the artery by positively positioning a radioactive source at the radial center of the artery being treated.

Abstract: A novel method and device for performing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty to treat occlusive artery disease is disclosed. The method involves simultaneous measurement and display of the fluid pressure and volume existing within the balloon catheter as the procedure is performed. Information is produced which is useful in determining the efficacy of the procedure as it is performed which obviates the need for arbitrary repeated inflations. The information is also useful in the subsequent management of the patient's disease.