Method and apparatus for vascular neuromuscular blockade

Abstract

Method and apparatus of vascular neuromuscular blockade including percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.

1 . A method of vascular neuromuscular blockade comprising percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the percutaneous delivery includes providing an endovascular device carrying the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the percutaneous delivery includes inserting the endovascular device into the affected region and applying the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to a muscular media of the vessel.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the endovascular device has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the step of applying includes positioning the endovascular device into the vessel in the collapsed configuration and driving the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent into the muscular media of the vessel by expanding the endovascular device to the expanded configuration.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the step of providing an endovascular device includes applying a coating of the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to the endovascular device.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the endovascular device is selected from a group comprising a stent, a biodegradable stent, an angioplasty balloon, and a graft.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the step of providing an endovascular device includes providing a microvascular injection device comprising a balloon catheter having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a chamber, the outer wall having micropores formed therein, the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent carried in the chamber and expelled through the micropores in the expanded configuration.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent comprises at least one from a group consisting of botulinum toxin and hemicholinium.  
     
     
         9 . A medical device comprising: 
 an endovascular device shaped and sized for percutaneous insertion into a blood vessel; and    a neurotransmitter inhibiting agent carried by the endovascular device.    
     
     
         10 . A medical device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the endovascular device further includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;  
     
     
         11 . A medical device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent carried by the endovascular device includes a coating layer.  
     
     
         12 . A medical device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the endovascular device is selected from a group comprising a stent, a biodegradable stent, an angioplasty balloon, and a graft.  
     
     
         13 . A medical device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the endovascular device includes a microvascular injection device comprising a balloon catheter having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a chamber, the outer wall having micropores formed therein, the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent carried in the chamber and expelled through the micropores in the expanded configuration.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the neurotransmitter inhibiting agent comprises at least one from a group consisting of botulinum toxin and hemicholinium.  
     
     
         15 . A method of reducing restenosis of a blood vessel comprising: 
 providing an endovascular device carrying a quantity of botulinum toxin;    percutaneously inserting the endovascular device into an affected region of a vessel; and    applying the botulinum toxin to a muscular media of the vessel.    
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the endovascular device has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the step of applying the botulinum toxin includes positioning the endovascular device into the vessel in the collapsed configuration and driving the botulinum toxin into the muscular media of the vessel by expanding the endovascular device to the expanded configuration.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the step of providing an endovascular device includes applying a coating of the botulinum toxin to the endovascular device.  
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the endovascular device is selected from a group comprising a stent, a biodegradable stent, an angioplasty balloon, and a graft.  
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the step of providing an endovascular device includes providing a microvascular injection device comprising a balloon catheter having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a chamber, the outer wall having micropores formed therein, the botulinum toxin carried in the chamber and expelled through the micropores in the expanded configuration.