Abstract: A radioactive source is made by forming a polymer layer substantially free of inorganic polymers on a substrate material, and exposing the polymer layer to a radioactive isotope. The source is useful for inhibition of restenosis in coronary arteries after balloon angioplasty or stent implantation. In particular, a radioactive source of 32P, 90Y, or 144Ce is deposited on a poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET) substrate. The polymer substrate was first coated with pH-sensitive hydrogel and then adsorbed various amount of phosphoric acid (PA) in aqueous solutions. The substrate was immersed in 32P, 90YCl3 or 144CeCl3 solutions, and then 32P, 90Y or 144Ce was deposited on the surface as 32PPO4, 90YPO4 or 144Ce PO4. Two different polyurethanes were used to encapsulate and seal the deposited isotopes on the surface to minimize the leakage of the isotope.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in a luminal structure. A dual-balloon catheter for treating a disease process in a luminal structure of a patient comprises an inner balloon, an outer balloon substantially concentric with and substantially surrounding the inner balloon, an inner balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the inner balloon, and an outer balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the outer balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a disease process in a luminal structure comprises a balloon catheter having a central balloon and two edge balloons. The central balloon may be separately inflated temporally and with different radioactive fluid than the edge balloons. Other arrangements include a wire, stent and concentric balloons, which provide spatial and temporal control enabling differential radioactivity at different spatial locations along the structure.

Abstract: A radiation catheter for intraluminal treatment of a patient has a plurality of separably inflatable and deflatable balloon segments located along the length of the catheter, and a radiation source within a lumen of the catheter. As the radiation source is moved, one or more balloon segments closest to the source is inflated with the remainder deflated thereby allowing blood to perfuse in areas where inflation of the segments is not needed to effect centering of the source in the luminal structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a disease process in a luminal structure comprises a balloon catheter having a central balloon and two edge balloons. The central balloon may be separately inflated temporally and with different radioactive fluid than the edge balloons. Other arrangements include a wire, stent and concentric balloons, which provide spatial and temporal control enabling differential radioactivity at different spatial locations along the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in the vicinity of a luminal structure comprises a balloon catheter having a balloon and a tube segment of radioactive material located either inside the balloon or outside the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in a luminal structure. A dual-balloon catheter for treating a disease process in a luminal structure of a patient comprises an inner balloon, an outer balloon substantially concentric with and substantially surrounding the inner balloon, an inner balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the inner balloon, and an outer balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the outer balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method inhibits a disease process in a luminal structure of a subject by introducing into the luminal structure a balloon catheter with radioactive fluid containing a complex of a radionuclide and a chelating agent in an amount effective to inhibit the disease process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in a luminal structure. A dual-balloon catheter for treating a disease process in a luminal structure of a patient comprises an inner balloon, an outer balloon substantially concentric with and substantially surrounding the inner balloon, an inner balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the inner balloon, and an outer balloon fluid delivery lumen in fluid connection with the outer balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in the vicinity of a luminal structure. Comprises a balloon catheter having a balloon and a tube segment of radioactive material located either inside the balloon or outside the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to treat a disease process in a luminal structure. A guidewire is inserted into the patient's luminal structure at least as far as a target area of the luminal structure, a balloon catheter with a blind lumen sealed at its distal end and a guidewire lumen extending therethrough to accept the guidewire is inserted into the luminal structure, the blind lumen being adapted to accept a radiation delivery wire into its proximal end.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of inhibiting a disease process in a luminal structure of a subject including introducing within the luminal structure a complex of a radionuclide and a chelating agent in an amount effective to inhibit the disease process.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus and method for applying radiation to a patient in synchronism with one of a plurality of states of a cardiac cycle of the patient and one of a plurality of states of a respiratory cycle of the patient. An electrocardiograph is operatively connected to the patient and a respiratory monitor is operatively connected to the patient. A controller is provided for receiving an output from said electrocardiograph indicative of which of said plurality of cardiac cycle states the cardiac cycle is presently in and for receiving an output from said respiratory monitor indicative of which of said plurality of respiratory cycle states said respiratory cycle is presently in. A radiation applicator applies radiation to the patient in response to a trigger signal from the controller, said trigger signal being generated by said controller in response to said output from said electrocardiograph and said output from said respiratory monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus guided by a guidewire within a patient's artery for reducing restenosis after arterial intervention in the patient's artery. A radiation dose delivery wire with a radiation source encapsulated within its distal end is inserted into a blind lumen in a balloon catheter to deliver radiation to a target area of the patient's artery.

Abstract: An apparatus guided by a guidewire within a patient's artery for reducing restenosis after arterial intervention in the patient's artery. A radiation dose delivery wire with a radiation source encapsulated within its distal end is inserted into a blind lumen in a balloon catheter to deliver radiation to a target area of the patient's artery.