Importance

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Abstract

A catheter and method for delivering a therapeutic agent (e.g., an embolic material) to a vascular site. The intravascular catheter is navigated, at a first relatively small diameter, to the vascular site. Pressure is applied to the lumen of the shaft, thereby expanding an expandable portion of the catheter shaft from the first diameter to a second larger diameter, suitable for delivery of a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is preferably disposed in the lumen of the shaft such that the expansion pressure is created, in part, by resistance of the therapeutic agent to flow through the lumen. Preferably, the shaft expands predictably with pressure. A reinforcement structure may be utilized in the shaft of the catheter, including the expandable portion. The reinforcement structure may include a plurality of circumferential elements, each circumferential element having a circumference and a means for permitting an increase in the circumference such that the shaft is able to expand.

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First Claim