| abstract |
A catheter for delivering drugs or other agents is disclosed particularly suited for delivering drugs proximate the walls of a vessel or lumen, such as an artery or vein. The catheter comprises a shaft with a distal portion comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of delivery members. When deployed, the delivery members flare from the catheter shaft at an acute or obtuse angle. At least a portion of the delivery members are within a restraining member such as a sleeve or thread, for example, to maintain the delivery member within the diameter of the shaft prior to deployment. Delivery lumens provide drugs to ports in the delivery members for delivery out of the catheter. The delivery members preferably bear against the wall of the vessel when deployed, to deliver the drug or other agent proximate the walls of the blood vessel, where blood flow is slow. In another embodiment the delivery members comprise a first tapered portion, a second longitudinal portion and a plurality of drug delivery ports. |