Distal protection device with local drug delivery to maintain patency

Abstract

The present invention provides for a drug delivery mechanism for use with a protection device. The protection device has an expandable filter. The drug delivery mechanism automatically delivers a drug to the filter without requiring the intervention of the operator of the protection device. The drug delivered to the filter facilitates continued filter patency during the medical procedure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A medical device for insertion into the vasculature of a patient, comprising: 
 a distal member for allowing passage of a fluid, and    a self-activating drug delivery mechanism proximate said distal member for delivering a drug to said distal member to induce continued patency to said distal member.    
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism includes a plurality of beads.  
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism is activated by piercing of said beads upon deployment of said medical device.  
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism is activated by dissolving a coating applied to said beads.  
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said distal member is a filter.  
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5 , wherein said filter is expandable about a hostwire.  
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism is a plurality of beads.  
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of beads are carried by said hostwire.  
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of beads are activated by releasing said beads from said hostwire and impacting said beads against said filter.  
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of beads are positioned on said filter.  
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism is a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS).  
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein said MEMS dispenses said drug at predetermined intervals.  
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein said MEMS is located on a hostwire extending proximate said distal member of said medical device.  
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein a second MEMS is located proximate said distal member of said medical device.  
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein a hostwire on which said distal member is mounted passes through a lumen.  
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein said self-activating drug delivery mechanism is located within said lumen.  
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 16 , wherein said lumen houses an expandable bladder.  
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein said expandable bladder expands in response to a change in environmental conditions.  
     
     
         19 . The medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein self-activating drug delivery mechanism is activated by expansion of an expandable bladder.  
     
     
         20 . A vascular device, comprising: 
 a hostwire having a distal portion, the hostwire interposable in the vasculature of a patient;    a filter expandable outwardly from said distal portion of said hostwire, said filter normally allowing passage of fluid therethrough; and    a drug eluting bead for facilitating patency of said filter by releasing a drug upflow of said filter.    
     
     
         21 . The vascular device according to  claim 20 , wherein said drug eluting bead releases said drug upon impact with said filter.  
     
     
         22 . The vascular device according to  claim 21 , wherein said drug eluting bead impacts said filter upon expansion of said filter.  
     
     
         23 . The vascular device according to  claim 20 , wherein said drug eluting bead releases said drug by dissolving a coating encapsulating said bead.  
     
     
         24 . The vascular device according to  claim 23 , wherein said coating is dissolved by an activating agent in the blood of a patient.  
     
     
         25 . The vascular device according to  claim 25 , wherein said bead is porous.