| abstract |
A drug delivery catheter with an inflatable blood flow lumen is provided. The drug delivery catheter includes a flexible tubular shaft and an inflatable balloon assembly disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The catheter is inserted into a vessel with the balloon assembly in an un-inflated form. The balloon member is positioned at the treatment site and inflated. The balloon member in an inflated form defines a region or pocket between the balloon assembly and the vessel wall which contains the drug separate from blood flow. Apertures are provided in the balloon assembly to provide the drug to the containment pocket. Blood is allowed to flow through the center of the inflated balloon assembly. |