Electroporation Vascular Device and Method

Abstract

A particle-removing medical device includes an outer, hollow tube having a tube distal end and a porous braided structure having a distal part and a proximal part. Structure, housed within the tube and having a distal end positioned distally of the tube distal end, is used to move the braided structure from a contracted condition to an expanded condition by moving the distal ends of the tube and the structure towards one another. The braided structure is constructed to inhibit particles from moving completely through the braided structure when in the expanded condition.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A cardiovascular device, for use in a vascular lumen within a body for treatment of cardiovascular disease, comprising: 
 a braided body; and    said braided body comprising electroporation means for helping prevent restenosis in a cardiovascular lumen.    
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the braided body constitutes an electrode.  
     
     
         24 . A method for treating cardiovascular disease comprising: 
 obtaining a radially expandable and collapsible medical device;    placing the medical device, in a radially collapsed state, within a cardiovascular passageway within a body;    positioning the medical device at a target site within the passageway;    placing the medical device in a radially expanded state;    inhibiting restenosis at the target site by electroporation;    placing the medical device in a radially collapsed state; and    removing the device from the passageway.    
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24  wherein the radially expanded state placing step takes place after the positioning step.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24  wherein the restenosis inhibiting step is carried out using the device as an electrode.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the restenosis inhibiting step is carried out with the aid of a separate programmable device.  
     
     
         28 . A method for treating cardiovascular disease comprising: 
 obtaining a radially expandable and collapsible medical device;    placing the medical device, in a radially collapsed state, within a cardiovascular passageway within a body;    positioning the medical device at a target site within the passageway;    placing the medical device in a radially expanded state;    inhibiting restenosis at the target site by iontophoresis;    placing the medical device in a radially collapsed state; and    removing the device from the passageway.