Importance

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Abstract

A radiation source for inhibiting restenosis including a radiation delivery tube having a radioactive distal region, the tube being adapted to slide over a core wire within a radiation delivery catheter. The core wire is preferably in a slidable relation with the radiation delivery catheter. By withdrawing the core wire to a proximal position, the flexibility of a distal region of the radiation delivery catheter may be increased, thereby allowing the radiation delivery catheter to navigate more tortuous paths and reach more distal sites. Before the radiation delivery tube is advanced into the catheter distal region, the core wire is preferably slid distally to a distal position. With the core wire in the distal position, the core wire may provide a structure that can be used to rapidly advance the radiation source to the lesion site. The core wire may also help constrain lateral movement of the radiation delivery tube and help center the radiation delivery tube within the vessel to provide a more even radiation exposure to the vessel walls.

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First Claim