Electrically induced vessel vasodilation

Abstract

The invention provides methods for inducing or increasing the vasodilation of a vessel. The invention further provides methods for inducing or increasing the flow of fluid through a vessel. An electrical impulse is applied to the vessel in order to induce or increase vessel vasodilation or to induce or increase the flow of fluid through the vessel. In a particular embodiment, a novel double-balloon catheter system incorporating electroporation technology has been designed and is used to apply the electrical impulse endoluminally.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Under 37 U.S.C. §119(e)(1), this application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional application 60 / 084,857, filed May 8, 1998 and U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 307,216, filed May 7, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of vessel vasodilation and, more particularly, to methods for inducing or increasing the vasodilation of a vessel and methods for inducing or increasing the flow of fluid through a vessel by applying an electrical impulse to the vessel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Despite procedural success rates greater than 95% achieved by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), luminal renarrowing of blood vessels after balloon angioplasty occurs in 30% to 60% of all cases within 3 to 6 months. Smooth muscle cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodeling appear to play pivotal roles in the luminal renarrowing process and negate the beneficial effect of vascular reconstruction by ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides methods for inducing or increasing vasodilation of a vessel in a subject by applying an electrical impulse to the vessel. The method can be used to treat clinical situations in which it is desired to increase or induce vessel vasodilation or to induce or increase the flow of fluid through the vessel. The method can involve applying multiple electrical impulses and can include inducing denudation of the vessel prior to, simultaneously with, or after applying an electrical impulse. The method can also include administering a composition to the vessel prior to, simultaneously with, or after the application of an electrical impulse. The composition can inhibit cell proliferation, platelet adhesion or aggregation, or other factors associated with intimal thickening or hyperplasia. The method can deliver the composition into the tunica intima, tunica media, or tunica adventitia of the vessel. The invention also includes a method using a catheter apparatus with an inflatable balloon portion and electrodes for inducing or increasing vasodilation of a vessel."

Problems solved by technology

A variety of drugs also have been investigated to prevent luminal renarrowing in experimental animal and clinical settings, but without much success.

A primary reason for this may be the failure of systemic administration to achieve effective concentrations of drugs at the targeted area.

Delivery capacity with hydrogel balloon is limited and, during placement, the catheter can lose substantial amount of the drug or agent that is administered.

However, each of these devices have limitations and have not been successful in resolving the problem of restenosis.

However, in view of the limited success in preventing luminal renarrowing after angioplasty, a need exists for the development of methods for inducing or increasing vessel vasodilation in order to treat undesirable vessel narrowing without therapeutic compositions, many of which elicit adverse side effects.

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