Ballon catheters having ultraonically driven interface surfaces and methods for their use

Abstract

A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for delivering a stent to a blood vessel, said method comprising: 
 positioning a catheter carrying a stent within the blood vessel;    inflating a balloon on the catheter within the blood vessel to implant the stent; and    transversely oscillating a transducer disposed within the balloon to deliver oscillatory waves into the blood vessel wall in the region of the stent.