Multi-function catheter and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-function catheter assembly for treating arterial plaques. The multifunction catheter comprises a flexible tubular catheter body, an inflatable balloon assembly capable of multi-stage inflation at a distal end of the catheter body, at least one fluid delivery conduit formed on the catheter body, and at least one balloon control conduit formed within the catheter body. The balloon, when inflated to a first stage inside a vessel at the treatment site, defines a chamber between the balloon and the vessel wall. The at least one fluid delivery conduit is adapted to permit the delivery of an agent into the chamber to dissolve a plaque. After the removal of the plaque, the balloon is further inflated to a second stage to install a stent in the space that is vacated by the plaque. The stent can be a pre-manufactured stent or a customized stent formed by filing the space between the balloon and the treated vessel wall with a fluent composition that is solidified in situ. The multi-function catheter may also be used for sealing off aneurysms, dilating vessel passages, and treating tumors and trauma.

1 . A multi-function catheter, comprising:
 a tubular catheter body having an inner lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end;   an inflatable balloon assembly at the distal end of the tubular catheter body, the inflatable balloon assembly comprising a proximal balloon element, a distal balloon element, and a central balloon element capable of multi-stage inflation;   a fluid delivery conduit;   a balloon control conduit that controls one or more of the proximal balloon element, the distal balloon element, and the central balloon element; and   wherein said multi-function catheter is adapted to perform a medical treatment in a vascular system and form a stent at the treatment site.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a pre-manufactured stent on an outer periphery of the central balloon element. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner lumen of the tubular catheter body allows blood to flow through the catheter. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a magnetized metal at the distal end of the catheter body. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal balloon element and the distal balloon element are both capable of multi-stage inflation. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal balloon element, the distal balloon element, and the central balloon element are controlled individually. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery conduit comprises two or more fluid delivery channels. 
   
   
       8 . The multi-function catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon control conduit comprises two or more balloon control channels. 
   
   
       9 . A method for using a multi-function catheter for a medical treatment, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing a multi-function catheter at a treatment site;   inflating a balloon assembly using a balloon assembly comprising a proximal balloon element, a distal balloon element, and a central balloon element capable of multi-stage inflation, wherein the balloon assembly dilates a vessel passage; and   installing a stent at the treatment site using a stent attached to an outer periphery of the central balloon element wherein the central balloon element is inflated to install the stent.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said vessel passage is an artery, a vein, a treachobronchial or a fallopian tube.