Abstract: A catheter provided with an elongated tube having channels for the guiding of a radioactive element and for the passage of a guide wire for the catheter as well as fluid under pressure, in which the elongated tube is provided near its distal end on its outer circumference with a recanalization balloon and activatable centering means arranged therein. A by-pass can also be arranged through the recanalization balloon.

Abstract: A combination of a capsule for incorporating a radioactive source to be applied in brachytherapy and a guidewire, in which the capsule is attached to the guidewire via an adapter, and the adapter comprises a cable or thread with a flexibility greater than that of the guidewire

Abstract: A capsule for taking up at least one radioactive source for application in brachytherapy and to be connected to a guidewire, the capsule having a cylindrical mantle that can be closed on the proximal end by a coupling element, and the capsule having a rounded top section at its distal end, the mantle and the inner surface of the top section defining a substantially straight circular-cylindrical cavity, in which the operation at least one radioactive source is placed, the inner surface of the top section, at least in a peripheral area thereof, being curved in distal direction and the cavity continuing somewhat in the top section, and the end of that least one radioactive source, which is located near the inner surface of the top section, is finished in a complementary curved fashion.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated tube having a first channel for the guiding of a radioactive element and a second channel for the passage of a guide wire for the catheter, in which the elongated tube is provided on its outer circumference near its distal end with temporarily activatable centering means, the centering means being surrounded by recanalization means, and the centering means comprising a plurality of elongated balloons which are inflatable by fluid fed through at least one third channel and, in operation, allow the recanalization means to expand to form an elongated body, with respect to which the first channel is centered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a lesion (34) of a blood vessel (33) with radiation from a radioactive source (35). A catheter (36) having at least one lumen (56) is placed into the blood vessel (33) with a distal portion (36A) near the lesion (34) and a proximal portion (49) outside of the blood vessel (33). A radiation tube (4) is at least partially placed into the catheter (36) through a lumen (56) such that a juncture (80) is formed between the proximal portion (49) of the catheter (36) and the radiation tube (4). A proximal end of the radiation tube (4) is connected to a drive device (9) for driving the radioactive source (35) through the radiation tube (4) and the catheter (36) to near the lesion (34). An axial translation device (31) is placed at the juncture (80).