Patent Application
20100069837
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention pertain generally to medical catheters and balloons More particularly, some embodiments of the present invention pertain to balloon assemblies for treating lesions in the human vasculature.
2. Description of the Related Art
Balloon assemblies having surface features suitable for treating lesions are viewed by many as the next generation treatment option for the revascularization of both coronary and peripheral vessels, can be used as a replacement for conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures. Such balloon assemblies are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat Nos. 7,070,576 and 7,153,315, as well as in commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2005/0119678 and 2006/0116700, the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein by reference
The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C F R §1.56(a) exists.
All U S patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R §172.
In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a balloon assembly for use on a catheter to incise tissue at a treatment site in a body vessel The balloon assembly includes an elongated balloon, one or more cutting elements, and one or more therapeutic agents. The balloon is disposed about a longitudinal axis and has an unexpanded state and an expanded state The one or more cutting elements are engaged to the balloon. Each cutting element defines an opening which is at least partially loaded with one or more therapeutic agents. The balloon assembly converts energy into heat to enhance elution of the therapeutic agent at the treatment site.
Cutting elements, as the phrase is used herein, includes any structure that incises, penetrates, scores, cuts, etc. tissue including, but not limited to, blades, wires, protrusions, barbs, and/or similar structures
In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the cutting elements comprise two dissimilar metals joined together at at least one region.
In at least one embodiment, the balloon assembly further comprises a piezoelectric material. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material is engaged to the cutting element, and the cutting element is comprised of a conductive material In at least one embodiment, the piezoelectric material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene difluoride and lead-zirconia-titania
In some embodiments, the balloon assembly further comprises electroactive metals
In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a balloon assembly for use on a catheter to treat tissue at a treatment site in a body vessel. The balloon assembly comprises an elongated balloon, one or more pores, one or more therapeutic agents, and one or more thermodynamic valves The balloon is disposed about a longitudinal axis and has an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The therapeutic agent(s) are disposed within the pores. The valve(s) are constructed and arranged to open thereby releasing the therapeutic agent(s).
In at least one embodiment, the thermodynamic valve comprises a bimetallic actuator.
In some embodiments, the thermodynamic valve(s) comprise one or more cutting blades
These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof However, for further understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described embodiments of the invention.
A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.
While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.
For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated
Referring initially to
Turning now to
Referring again to
Referring again to
As mentioned early, the slot acts as a reservoir for one or mole therapeutic agents that are loaded into the blade prior to delivery. As the balloon is inflated, the blade is driven into the tissue to be treated, thereby also delivering the therapeutic agent directly to the treatment site.
The agent can be in the form of a coating or other layer (or layers) of material, a powder, or a crystal, each adapted to be released at the site of the balloon's implantation or areas adjacent thereto A therapeutic agent can be a drug or other pharmaceutical product such as non-genetic agents, genetic agents, cellular material, etc. Some examples of suitable non-genetic therapeutic agents include but are not limited to: anti-thrombogenic agents such heparin, heparin derivatives, prostaglandin (including micellar prostaglandin El), urokinase, and PPack (dextrophenylalanine proline arginine chloromethylketone); anti-proliferative agents such as enoxaparin, angiopeptin, sirolimus (rapamycin), tacrolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking smooth muscle cell proliferation, hirudin, and acetylsalicylic acid; anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone, rosiglitazone, prednisolone, corticosterone, budesonide, estrogen, estrodiol, sulfasalazine, acetylsalicylic acid, mycophenolic acid, and mesalamine; anti-neoplastic/anti-proliferative/anti-mitotic agents such as paclitaxel, epothilone, cladribine, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, cyclosporine, cisplatin, vinblastine, vincristine, epothilones, endostatin, trapidil, halofuginone, and angiostatin; anti-cancer agents such as antisense inhibitors of c-myc oncogene; anti-microbial agents such as triclosan, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, nitrofurantoin, silver ions, compounds, or salts; biofilm synthesis inhibitors such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, O,O′-bis (2-aminoethyl) ethyleneglycol-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and mixtures thereof, antibiotics such as gentamycin, rifampin, minocyclin, and ciprofloxacin; antibodies including chimeric antibodies and antibody fragments; anesthetic agents such as lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine; nitric oxide; nitric oxide (NO) donors such as linsidomine, molsidomine, L-arginine, NO-carbohydrate adducts, polymeric or oligomeric NO adducts; anti-coagulants such as D-Phe-Pio-Arg chloromethyl ketone, an RGD peptide-containing compound, heparin, antithrombin compounds, platelet receptor antagonists, anti-thrombin antibodies, anti-platelet receptor antibodies, enoxaparin, hirudin, warfarin sodium, Dicumarol, aspirin, prostaglandin inhibitors, platelet aggregation inhibitors such as cilostazol and tick antiplatelet factors; vascular cell growth promotors such as growth factors, transcriptional activators, and translational promotors; vascular cell growth inhibitors such as growth factor inhibitors, growth factor receptor antagonists, transcriptional repressors, translational repressors, replication inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, antibodies directed against growth factors, bifunctional molecules consisting of a growth factor and a cytotoxin, bifunctional molecules consisting of an antibody and a cytotoxin; cholesterol-lowering agents; vasodilating agents; agents which interfere with endogenous vascoactive mechanisms; inhibitors of heat shock proteins such as geldanamycin; angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; beta-blockers; βAR kinase (βARK) inhibitors; phospholamban inhibitors; protein-bound particle drugs such as ABRAXANE®; and any combinations and prodrugs of the above.
Exemplary biomolecules include peptides, polypeptides and proteins; oligonucleotides; nucleic acids such as double or single stranded DNA (including naked and cDNA), RNA, antisense nucleic acids such as antisense DNA and RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and ribozymes; genes; carbohydrates; angiogenic factors including growth factors; cell cycle inhibitors; and anti-restenosis agents. Nucleic acids may be incorporated into delivery systems such as, for example, vectors (including viral vectors), plasmids or liposomes.
Non-limiting examples of proteins include serca-2 protein, monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCP-1) and bone morphogenic proteins (“BMPs”), such as, for example, BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6 (VGR-1), BMP-7 (OP-1), BMP-8, BMP-9, BMP-10, BMP-11, BMP-12, BMP-13, BMP-14, BMP-15. Preferred BMPs are any of BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, and BMP-7. These BMPs can be provided as homodimers, heterodimers, or combinations thereof, alone or together with other molecules. Alternatively, or in addition, molecules capable of inducing an upstream or downstream effect of a BMP can be provided. Such molecules include any of the “hedghog” proteins, or the DNA's encoding them. Non-limiting examples of genes include survival genes that protect against cell death, such as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family factors and Akt kinase; serca 2 gene; and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of angiogenic factors include acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors α and β, platelet-derived endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor α, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor. A non-limiting example of a cell cycle inhibitor is a cathespin D (CD) inhibitor. Non-limiting examples of anti-restenosis agents include p15, p16, p18, p19, p21, p27, p53, p57, Rb, nFkB and E2F decoys, thymidine kinase and combinations thereof and other agents useful for interfering with cell proliferation.
Exemplary small molecules include hormones, nucleotides, amino acids, sugars, and lipids and compounds have a molecular weight of less than 100 kD.
Exemplary cells include stem cells, progenitor cells, endothelial cells, adult cardiomyocytes, and smooth muscle cells. Cells can be of human origin (autologous or allogenic) or from an animal source (xenogenic), or genetically engineered. Non-limiting examples of cells include side population (SP) cells, lineage negative (Lin−) cells including Lin−CD34−, Lin−CD34+, Lin−cKit+, mesenchymal stem cells including mesenchymal stem cells with 5-aza, cold blood cells, cardiac or other tissue derived stem cells, whole bone marrow, bone marrow mononuclear cells, endothelial progenitor cells, skeletal myoblasts or satellite cells, muscle derived cells, go cells, endothelial cells, adult cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells adult cardiac fibroclasts+5-aza genetically modified cells, tissue engineered grafts, MyoD scar fibroblasts, pacing cells, embryonic stem cell clones, embryonic stem cells, fetal or neonatal cells, immunologically masked cells, and teratoma derived cells.
Any of the therapeutic agents may be combined to the extent such combination is biologically compatible. Further, each of the plurality of vesicles on the medical devices of the present invention can contain a single therapeutic agent or multiple therapeutic agents Further, the plurality of vesicles can collectively contain the same therapeutic agents or at least some different therapeutic agents.
In embodiments of a medical device having a coating, such a coating can be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Non-limiting examples of suitable non-biodegradable polymers include metals or metallic oxides; polystrene; polyisobutylene copolymers, styrene-isobutylene block copolymers such as styrene-isobutylene-styrene tri-block copolymers (SIRS) and other block copolymers such as styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS); polyvinylpyrrolidone including cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohols, copolymers of vinyl monomers such as EVA; polyvinyl ethers; polyvinyl aromatics; polyethylene oxides; polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate; polyamides; polyacrylamides; polyethers including polyether sulfone; polyalkylenes including polypropylene, polyethylene and high molecular weight polyethylene; polyumethanes; polycarbonates, silicones; siloxane polymers; cellulosic polymers such as cellulose acetate; polymer dispersions such as polyurethane dispersions (BAYHDROL®); squalene emulsions; and mixtures and copolymers of any of the foregoing.
Non-limiting examples of suitable biodegradable polymers include polycarboxylic acid, polyanhydrides including maleic anhydride polymers; polyorthoesters; poly-amino acids; polyethylene oxide; polyphosphazenes; polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and copolymers and mixtures thereof such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(D,L,-lactide), poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), 50/50 (DL-lactide-co-glycolide); polydioxanone; polypropylene fumarate; polydepsipeptides; polycaprolactone and co-polymers and mixtures thereof such as poly(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) and polycaprolactone co-butylacrylate; polyhydroxybutyrate valerate and blends; polycarbonates such as tyrosine-derived polycarbonates and arylates, polyiminocarbonates, and polydimethyltrimethylcarbonates; cyanoacrylate; calcium phosphates; polyglycosaminoglycans; macromolecules such as polysaccharides (including hyaluronic acid; cellulose, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; gelatin; starches; dextrans; alginates and derivatives thereof), proteins and polypeptides; and mixtures and copolymers of any of the foregoing. The biodegradable polymer may also be a surface erodable polymer such as polyhydroxybutyrate and its copolymers, polycaprolactone, polyanhyduides (both crystalline and amorphous), maleic anhydride copolymers, and zinc-calcium phosphate.
While the design of
The cutting elements can also be one or more elliptical, or in the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
As stated earlier, some embodiments of the system may utilize electroactive metals (EAMs) such as nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) instead of or in addition to the use of dissimilar metals. EAMS ate materials which actuate due to current, voltage, or heat. That is, the EAMS move or change shape, typically in response to current or other electrical interaction, for example heat. This can be used to manipulate the balloon assembly blades In at least one embodiment, the cutting features are not exposed during delivery, but actively exposed at a treatment site. These cutting features (blades, wires, protrusions, etc.) can be folded down on their side or embedded into the balloon. Alternate embodiments may include maintaining low delivery profiles with proper wrapping of blades and balloon, or blade movement to improve cutting action
Rather than relying on the use dissimilar metals to create a current flow as in
Referring now to
Other methods of employing radiant energy, piezoelectric material, electric potential, or electrolytes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,162, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference
Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
In some embodiments of the invention, a pathway from a valve-style manifold is used to inject the liquid or gel through the catheter and into the body through the incising elements. In such an embodiment, a tube 80 with lumen 81 is disposed within the inflation lumen 48 of the inflatable balloon 26, as seen in
In at least one embodiment, the surface of the balloon, or the struts of a stent, can include barbs, needles, micro-tubules, or other objects (hereafter collectively referred to as “barbs”) for depositing or etching therapeutic agents into a stenosis. In an unexpanded condition, the balloon assembly with the barbs passes easily through a body lumen without depositing or etching therapeutic agent. However, as shown in the embodiment in
Or, in other embodiments, the tip 84 of the barb 86 can act as a cap on a cavity or reservoir 42 containing a therapeutic agent(s) 40 within the remaining barb, as seen in
In some embodiments, the balloon can also include a tube adjacent to the balloon for fluid delivery of a therapeutic agent(s). The tube can be preloaded with a drug, or the tube can be used as a pathway to deliver a drug to the treatment site. The tube delivers the drug to the treatment as a result of the deployment of the balloon.
In some embodiments the cutting element, the balloon, the delivery system or other portion of the assembly can include one or more areas, bands, coatings, members, etc. that is (are) detectable by imaging modalities such as X-Ray, MRI, ultrasound, etc. In some embodiments at least a portion of the stent and/or adjacent assembly is at least partially radiopaque.
The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”.
Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.
This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
