Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The delivery device includes a catheter and a delivery area. The catheter is suitable for being inserted into a vessel lumen of the vessel and includes a delivery lumen for receiving the radiation source. The delivery area also receives the radiation source. The delivery area includes an attenuator section for attenuating a portion of the radiation emitting from the radioactive area so that the delivery area emits an eccentric radiation profile. The delivery device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery area to be precisely rotated to properly position the attenuator section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The delivery device includes a catheter and a delivery area. The catheter is suitable for being inserted into a vessel lumen of the vessel and includes a delivery lumen for receiving the radiation source. The delivery area also receives the radiation source. The delivery area includes an attenuator section for attenuating a portion of the radiation emitting from the radioactive area so that the delivery area emits an eccentric radiation profile. The delivery device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery area to be precisely rotated to properly position the attenuator section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A radiation source for delivering a dose of radiation to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The radiation source includes a delivery wire and a radioactive segment. The radioactive segment includes a substantially coiled or entwined radioactive wire which allows the radioactive segment to have a relatively large surface area to volume ratio. The delivery wire is made of material having a relatively short half-life, such as titanium, while the radioactive segment is made of a material, such as a rhenium or yttrium, which has a much longer half-life.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent may be maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a resilient deflectable body member having an expandable electrode array at the distal end thereof, and a manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the body member, the handle including an array deployment device. A mandrel is movable through the shaft of the catheter by control movements at the handle to deploy the array or collapse the array as selected. A displacement compensation system is operatively connected to the mandrel such that when the array is expanded, the compensation system biases the mandrel so keep the array expanded, even during instances of deflection of the distal end. Similarly, the displacement compensation system biases the mandrel to keep the array collapsed when that configuration is selected, even during instances of straightening of the catheter. The displacement compensation system also compensates for overturning the control device in the handle to protect the array and deployment systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-expanding stent for insertion into an artery or other internal vessel. The stent is formed from a series of radial bands each formed with overlapping first and second ends. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable, allowing each band to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The first and second ends of each band are both formed to include a tab which is folded to hold the first and second end against the band. The bands are distributed along a common axis to form a cylinder and interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter and to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for self-expansion. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the radial bands in the stent.