Importance

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Abstract

A drug delivery catheter which may be inserted into a vessel, such as a blood vessel is disclosed. The drug delivery catheter comprises any elongated tubular member which has a proximal end and a distal end. A drug lumen which provides a communication path for fluid is provided in the elongated tubular member for delivering a fluid, such as the drug to be administered. An inflatable balloon assembly is provided at the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The balloon assembly includes apertures which communicate with the drug lumen. The balloon assembly comprises a tubular balloon which is helically wound through the elongated tubular member and a sheath. The sheath is attached to the helically wound tubular balloon such that when the balloon member is uninflated, the first fluid in the vessel flows around the balloon assembly and such that when the balloon member is inflated, sections of the helically wound balloon contact the vessel wall to form a containment pocket between the vessel wall, the contacting sections of the balloon and the sheath. The apertures are provided in the containment pocket. An inflatable lumen is defined through the interior of the helically wound balloon and the sheath to allow perfusion of the first fluid.

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First Claim