| abstract |
The invention involves a system for the deployment of biologically active materials in a bodily passage, particularly in vascular wall tissue, in the form of an elongated multi-lumen catheter having a plurality of serially situated functional zones. One embodiment includes an externally accessed dispersion zone adapted to address a vascular segment and having a dispersion chamber subtending a major arc of the vascular circumference provided with a pattern of openings for deploying biologically active materials in the vascular segment and supplied through an externally connected lumen. An electrode member is provided associated with the dispersion zone for applying a controlled electrical charge to the biologically active material at the point of deployment. A pair of spaced inflatable balloons define proximal and distal occlusion zones for temporarily occluding normal vascular blood flow in the vascular segment during deployment of the biologically active materials. A flow bypass lumen connects proximal and distal infusion port zones flanking the occlusion zones and maintaining blood flow about and beyond the vascular segment during occlusion. A control system is provided for controlling operation of the deployment system including electrical input capable of the time-variable modulation of the charge applied by the electrode means. |