Abstract: A catheter for providing an embolic material at a desired location comprises a flexible tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member including at least one ring of expansible material affixed to its outer surface less than 25 mm from the distal end. The ring preferably comprises a material that expands in volume when in contact with a liquid, such as a hydrogel or hydrogel foam, or in response to an application of heat. The ring is fully expanded after between 10 and 30 minutes of contact with a liquid. The catheter may also include further including a plurality of radioopaque markers spaced along the tubular member at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing balloon angioplasty and stent deployment in a vessel having a narrowed portion, including: a stent deployment member having an inner core and a stent, the inner core having a first lumen therethrough and proximal and distal ends, with the stent being releasably supported on the inner core, and an angioplasty balloon having a sealable distal end and an open proximal end, the proximal end being sealed to the inner core such that the balloon can be inflated by the passage of a fluid through the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method for widening a narrowed portion of a vessel, including: providing a balloon adjacent a stent on a single catheter, introducing a balloon at the narrowed portion, inflating the balloon, deflating the balloon, advancing the balloon beyond the narrowed portion, deploying the stent, and withdrawing the deflated balloon through the deployed stent.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device comprises a radioactive wire adapted to deliver an intended dosage of radiation to a lesion or other selected body tissues. The radioactive wire comprises an inner core about which is disposed an outer buffer layer of platinum or other suitable metal of high atomic number. The buffer layer preferably comprises a thin, continuous wire wrapped about the inner core. The radiotherapy device may be made into a variety of shapes, such as a straight wire, a helical coil, or other more complex shape, and it may be provided with an elastic memory. The device may be adapted for attachment to a delivery wire for controlled placement, as through a delivery catheter or microcatheter, at the treatment site. When accurate positioning of the device is not necessary, it can simply be injected through the delivery catheter or microcatheter, and in that event a delivery wire is not needed.