Medical assembly with transducer for local delivery of a therapeutic substance and method of using same

Abstract

A medical Assembly is used to delivery a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated. The medical assembly may optionally be used in conjunction with both macroporous and microporous balloons. The medical assembly may optionally be modified so that a plurality of transducers are used, wherein the distal end of a transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from the proximal end of an adjacent transducer.

1 . A medical assembly for local delivery of a therapeutic substance to an internal body tissue target area comprising: 
 (a) a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;    (b) a delivery lumen on said catheter, said lumen extending from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter for the delivery of a therapeutic substance therethrough; and    (c) a first transducer supported at the distal end of the catheter, said first transducer being supported by an outer surface of the catheter, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned over the outer surface of the catheter.    
   
   
       2 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive secures at least a portion of the inner surface of the transducer to the outer surface of the catheter.  
   
   
       3 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the transducer is in contact with the outer surface of the catheter.  
   
   
       4 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer comprises a hollow tubular shaped body, and wherein the catheter is extended through the hollow body.  
   
   
       5 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said transducer is tubular.  
   
   
       6 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, the first and second transducer each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from the proximal end of the second transducer.    
   
   
       7 . The medical assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon incorporated at said distal end of the catheter, the balloon in fluid communication with said lumen.