Abstract: The present method comprises the steps of advancing the coated expansion member to the obstruction in a vessel and applying opposed forces on said expansion member in an axial direction to move the expansion member to an expanded configuration wherein the expansion member dilates the obstruction and the expansion member either passively or actively delivers a therapeutic agent or medicament to the obstruction.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and medicament delivery device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and delivering a liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament to an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament is coated on either the expansion member, or incorporated into a substrate coated on the expansion member.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and medicament delivery device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and delivering a liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament to an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament is coated on either the expansion member, or incorporated into a substrate coated on the expansion member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter with an expandable distal end for delivering one or more medicaments. The catheter is manufactured with materials of construction that allow the transfer of electrical energy from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal expandable end. The catheter also has a means for controlling or manipulating the expandable distal end to expand and contract into various configurations. The distal end of the catheter is processed by a specific method of manufacturing whereby the expandable distal end is coated with one or more layers of a hydrogel copolymer wherein at least one layer of which coating encapsulates one or more medicaments and zero or more charged carriers to facilitate the electrophoretic and electro-osmostic mobilities of the medicaments.

Abstract: A charged liposome or micelle encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament for the treatment of an obstruction in blood vessel. The present method comprises the steps of advancing a delivery catheter with a distal expansion member to the obstruction in a vessel, expanding the expansion member to a configuration wherein the expansion member dilates the obstruction and the expansion member delivers the charged liposomes or micelles with encapsulated therapeutic agents or medicaments to the obstruction. Electrical energy is applied to enhance tissue and cell penetration.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and medicament delivery device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and delivering a therapeutic agent or medicament to an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A therapeutic agent or medicament is coated on either the expansion member, or incorporated into a substrate coated on the expansion member.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and medicament delivery device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and delivering a liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament to an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament is coated on either the expansion member, or incorporated into a substrate coated on the expansion member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy device comprising a substrate comprising at least one radioactive coating layer formed thereon. The radioactive coating layer has a total radioactivity that varies in at least one dimension of the device. Methods of making radioactive coatings, such as electrochemical deposition, electroless deposition and sol-gel are also disclosed. Suitable substrates include medical devices, such as catheters, stents, brachytherapy devices and guidewires, or components thereof. The disclosed methods produce medical devices capable of generating asymmetric, or targeted, radiation fields that correspond to the morphology of a tumor. Methods of using these devices to treat cancer of the breast, brain, prostate, uterine, head and neck are also disclosed.

Abstract: Radioactive coating solutions and sol-gels, and corresponding methods for making a substrate radioactive by the application of the radioactive coating solutions and sol-gels thereto. The radioactive coating solution comprises at least one carrier metal and a radioisotope, which may be soluble or insoluble, and may further comprise a reducing agent. The radioactive sol-gel comprises at least one metal alkoxide and a radioisotope, which may be soluble or insoluble. Methods of making a substrate radioactive by coating with radioactive coating solutions or sol-gels are also disclosed, including electrodeposition, electroless deposition, spin coating and dip coating. In a particular embodiment, the radioactive coating formed by the method is a composite coating. Radioactive substrates are also disclosed, comprising a substrate and one or more radioactive coatings, which coatings may be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device, and a method of using the device for dilating and irradiating a vascular segment, body passageway or an obstruction in a vascular segment or body passageway. The method of using the device comprises electroless deposition, electro-deposition or ion implantation of a radioactive coating on an expansion member. The radioactive coating may be deposited such that it has a total radioactivity that varies in at least one dimension of the expansion member. The expansion member may be substantially cylindrical and/or an expandable mesh. The radioactive expansion member, which is moveable between a radially contracted configuration and a radially expanded configuration, is radially contracted and placed into a vascular segment or body passageway.

Abstract: An endovascular support device adapted for local delivery of a therapeutic agent and for minimizing the rate of restinosis having a cylindrical support body with an inside surface and an opposite outside surface, and at least one layer of pericardial tissue covering at least a portion of at least a selected one of the inside surface or the outside surface of the cylindrical support body. At least one therapeutic agent is disposed on a portion of the support device.

Abstract: A device for the local delivery of a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body. The device provides a means for locally delivering a substance into the boundary layer of fluid flowing through the conduit without substantially disrupting the fluid flow therethrough. For example, an indwelling endovascular support device is provided for delivery of a substance locally to a targeted treatment area. Also provided are methods of locally delivering a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body utilizing the device of the present invention.

Abstract: A device for the local delivery of a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body. The device has a substance delivery segment which provides a means for locally delivering a substance into the boundary layer of fluid flowing through the conduit without disrupting the fluid flow therethrough. For example, an indwelling catheter is provided for endovascular delivery of a substance locally to a targeted treatment area. Also provided are methods of locally delivering a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body utilizing the device of the present invention.

Abstract: A device for the local delivery of a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body. The device has a substance delivery segment which provides a means for locally delivering a substance into the boundary layer of fluid flowing through the conduit without disrupting the fluid flow therethrough. For example, an indwelling catheter is provided for endovascular delivery of a substance locally to a targeted treatment area. Also provided are methods of locally delivering a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body utilizing the device of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention provides a sheath for encompassing at least a portion of a stent to locally deliver a drug to an arterial wall or lumen into which the stent has been inserted, comprising a polymer and a drug incorporated within the polymer, the polymer sheath encompassing at least a portion of the stent and a thickness to allow controlled release of the drug. Also provided is a method of preventing thrombosis and promoting and inhibiting vascular growth in a subject comprising inserting a stent encompassed by the sheath of the invention into a vessel of the subject.

Abstract: Human Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has the formula: H-Tyr-Pro-Ser-Lys-Pro-Asp-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu-Asp-Ala-Pro- Ala-Glu-Asp-Met-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu-Ile- Thr-Arg-Gln-Arg -Tyr-NH.sub.2. Porcine and rat NPY have the same sequence except for Leu instead of Met in the 17-position. Porcine PYY is homologous having 11 different residues. NPY analogs and N-terminally-shortened fragments, e.g. NPY(18-36), which contain one or more specific D-isomer substitutions for the naturally occurring residues (as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof), dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or solid carrier, can be administered to mammals, including humans, to substantially lower blood pressure over an extended period of time or to counteract hypertension.

Abstract: Human Neuropeptide Y(NPY) has the formula: H-Tyr-Pro-Ser-Lys-Pro-Asp-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu-Asp-Ala- Pro-Ala-Glu-Asp-Met-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr- Ile-Asn-Leu-Ile-Thr-Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH.sub.2. Porcine and rat NPY have the same sequence except for Leu instead of Met in the 17-position. Porcine PYY is homologous having 11 different residues. NPY analogs wherein the N-terminus is shortened and which may contain one or more specific subsitutions for the naturally occurring residues, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or solid carrier, can be administered to mammals, including humans, to substantially lower blood pressure over an extended period of time or to counteract hypertension.