US5306250A — Method and apparatus for intravascular drug deliv…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

A method applying a drug to a localized area on the inner wall of a tubular body vessel comprising the steps of: providing expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting membrane into the vessel adjacent the localized area; expanding the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; and after the step of expansion causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure through pores in the expanded membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; wherein the step of expanding the membrane occurs independently of the step of causing the drug-containing liquid to flow through the membrane.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 99 words

A method applying a drug to a localized area on the inner wall of a tubular body vessel comprising the steps of: providing expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting membrane into the vessel adjacent the localized area; expanding the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; and after the step of expansion causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure through pores in the expanded membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; wherein the step of expanding the membrane occurs independently of the step of causing the drug-containing liquid to flow through the membrane.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 1, including the step of pumping the drug-containing liquid through a tube and to the expanded membrane to thereby pressurize the membrane with the liquid and cause the liquid to flow through the pores of the membrane.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 2, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of expansion comprises pressurizing the membrane with a working fluid that is segregated from the drug-containing liquid.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the drug is carried by microparticles of a physiologically-compatible, biodegradable polymer.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of applying a drug to a localized area on the inner wall of a tubular body vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the vessel adjacent the localized area; expanding the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; and causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; the step of expanding the membrane occurring independently of the flow of pressurized drug-containing liquid into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of applying a drug to a localized area on the inner wall of a tubular body vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the vessel adjacent the localized area; expanding the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; and causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane into contact with the localized area of the vessel; the step of expanding the membrane occurring independently of the flow of pressurized drug-containing liquid into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 7, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of treating a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of a blood vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the blood vessel adjacent the lesion; expanding the membrane into contact with the lesion; and after the step of expansion, causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure through pores in the expanded membrane into contact with the lesion; wherein the step of expanding the membrane occurs independently of the flow of the drug-containing liquid through the membrane.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of treating a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of a blood vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the blood vessel adjacent the lesion; expanding the membrane into contact with the lesion; and after the step of expansion, causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure through pores in the expanded membrane into contact with the lesion; wherein the step of expanding the membrane occurs independently of the flow of the drug-containing liquid through the membrane.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 9, including the step of pumping the drug-containing liquid through a tube into the expanded membrane to thereby pressurize the membrane with the liquid and cause the liquid to flow through the pores of the membrane.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 10, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 9, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 9, wherein the step of expansion comprises pressurizing the membrane with a working fluid that is segregated from the drug-containing liquid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 9, wherein the drug is carried by microparticles of a physiologically-compatible, biodegradable polymer.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 89 words

A method of treating a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of a blood vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the blood vessel adjacent the lesion; expanding the membrane into contact with the lesion; and causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure into the membrane and through pores in the membrane into contact with the lesion, the step of expansion occurring independently of the-flow of pressurized drug-containing liquid into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 89 words

A method of treating a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of a blood vessel comprising the steps of: providing an expandable, porous outer membrane; inserting the membrane into the blood vessel adjacent the lesion; expanding the membrane into contact with the lesion; and causing a drug-containing liquid to flow under pressure into the membrane and through pores in the membrane into contact with the lesion, the step of expansion occurring independently of the-flow of pressurized drug-containing liquid into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 15, wherein the step of expanding the membrane is accomplished by expanding an endoskeletal frame within the membrane, the frame exerting mechanical force on the membrane to expand the membrane.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus for applying a drug to a localized area of a tubular body vessel comprising: an expandable, porous outer membrane; an elongate flexible tube connected to said membrane; means for pumping a drug-containing liquid through said tube into said membrane and through pores in said membrane; and means for mechanically expanding the membrane into contact with the vessel independently of the pumping of the liquid into and through said membrane.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus for applying a drug to a localized area of a tubular body vessel comprising: an expandable, porous outer membrane; an elongate flexible tube connected to said membrane; means for pumping a drug-containing liquid through said tube into said membrane and through pores in said membrane; and means for mechanically expanding the membrane into contact with the vessel independently of the pumping of the liquid into and through said membrane.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for expanding comprises an endoskeletal frame within said membrane and means for expanding said frame to exert mechanical force on said membrane to thereby expand said membrane.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 18, including means for contracting said frame.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said endoskeletal frame comprises a wire mesh cage, and said means for expanding comprises a retractable wire connected to said mesh cage to expand the mesh cage when the wire is retracted.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said membrane is bonded to said cage.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said endoskeletal frame is an expandable stent.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 52 words

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said endoskeletal frame comprises a tubular frame member having a plurality of slots therein forming a plurality of ribs, and said means for expanding comprises a retractable wire connected to the tubular frame member for causing said ribs to expand radially when the wire is retracted.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said membrane is bonded said ribs.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said tubular frame member includes a second plurality of slots to form a second plurality of ribs spaced axially from the first mentioned plurality of ribs, wherein said wire expands said second plurality of ribs.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said porous membrane extends between said first mentioned and second plurality of ribs.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said tubular frame member extends axially through said flexible tube into said membrane at a proximal end of said membrane, said wire being attached to said tubular frame member at a distal position thereof, and said ribs being disposed intermediate the attachment position of said wire and the proximal end of the membrane.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said membrane is pleated and said means for expanding comprises means for contracting said membrane axially to thereby cause the pleated membrane to expand radially.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 28, including pores in said pleats at radially outer peaks thereof.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 17, including ducts within said membrane connected to said pores, said ducts being in communication with said means for pumping, and wherein said means for expanding comprises means for hydraulically expanding said membrane.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for hydraulically expanding comprises a second flexible tube coextensive with said first mentioned flexible tube and being in communication with said membrane, and means for pumping fluid through said second tube into said membrane to expand said membrane

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said flexible tube is in fluid communication with said membrane.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for expanding comprises an endoskeletal frame within said membrane and means for expanding said frame to exert mechanical force on said membrane to thereby expand said membrane.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 33, including means for contracting said frame.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the drug is carried by microparticles of a physiologically-compatible, biodegradable polymer.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-04-25	1997-10-25	1998-04-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-04-25	2001-10-25	2002-04-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-04-25	2005-10-25	2006-04-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for intravascular drug delivery

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