Importance

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Abstract

The invention is directed to a catheter assembly with blood perfusion capability suitable for maintaining patency of a body lumen for a period of time sufficient to allow delivery of a radiation source to the body lumen. The catheter assembly includes an inner tubular member which extends coaxially within an outer tubular member, with the distal ends of the inner and outer tubular members being joined together. The catheter includes an expandable region which maintains and centers a radiation source within the body lumen while not inhibiting blood to perfuse around and past the expandable region. In one embodiment, the expandable region includes a plurality of outwardly extendable strap-like members which are formed on the outer tubular member of the elongated catheter body. A plurality of the strap-like members can be spaced in a staggered arrangement along the outer tubular member so that when moved to an expanded position, the strap-like members center the radiation source wire within the body lumen.

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First Claim