Delivery system for active agent coated balloon

1. A delivery system for introducing an active agent coated balloon into a subject comprising:

a tunneling sheath comprising

a tubular shaft having an outer diameter and defining a lumen, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a proximal collar defining a lumen, the proximal collar attached to the tubular shaft at the proximal end, the proximal collar comprising an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the tubular shaft; and

a balloon catheter comprising

a balloon catheter shaft disposed within the tubular shaft, the balloon catheter shaft comprising a lumen for the passage of a fluid therein;

an expandable balloon disposed on the balloon catheter shaft in fluid communication with the lumen of the balloon catheter shaft; and

an active agent layer disposed on the expandable balloon;

an introducing sheath disposed about the tunneling sheath;

wherein the position of the expandable balloon is configured to be stationary relative to the tubular shaft with the proximal collar of the tunneling sheath fastened onto the balloon catheter as the delivery system is passed through a blood vessel of a patient;

wherein the expandable balloon is configured be passed at least part way out of the tubular shaft after the proximal collar of the tunneling sheath is unfastened from the balloon catheter; and

wherein a volume of the tubular shaft that is not taken up by the balloon catheter is filled with a liquid as the expandable balloon is passed at least part way out of the tubular shaft.

2. The delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker disposed on the tubular shaft adjacent to the distal end.

3. The delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a lubricious coating disposed on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the tubular shaft.

4. The delivery system of claim 3 , the lubricious coating comprising a photoactive reagent.

5. The delivery system of claim 1 , the tubular shaft comprising polyurethane, polyether block amide, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and polyamide.

6. The delivery system of claim 1 , the proximal collar comprising silicone, polyether block amide, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising an annular tip attached to the distal end of the tubular shaft, the annular tip comprising a material having a durometer rating that is different than the durometer rating of a material of the shaft.

8. The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the proximal collar is tapered.

9. The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the proximal collar tapers from a first diameter adjacent the proximal end of the delivery system to a second diameter farther away from the proximal end of the delivery system, the second diameter less than the first diameter.

10. The delivery system of claim 1 , the active agent layer comprising a bioactive agent for treating restenosis.

11. The delivery system of claim 10 , the bioactive agent selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, rapamycin and derivatives thereof.

12. The delivery system of claim 1 , the liquid comprising biocompatible liquid.

13. The delivery system of claim 1 , the tubular shaft comprising one or more apertures along the length of the tubular shaft other than at the proximal and distal ends, the one or more apertures providing fluid communication between the luminal and abluminal sides of the tubular shaft.

14. A method of delivering an active agent coated balloon into a subject comprising:

inserting a delivery system for introducing an active agent coated balloon into a subject, the delivery system comprising

a tunneling sheath comprising a tubular shaft having an outer diameter and defining a lumen, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a proximal collar defining a lumen, the proximal collar attached to the tubular shaft at the proximal end, the proximal collar comprising an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the tubular shaft;

a balloon catheter comprising

a balloon catheter shaft disposed within the tubular shaft, the balloon catheter shaft comprising a lumen for the passage of a fluid therein;

an expandable balloon disposed on the balloon catheter shaft in fluid communication with the lumen of the balloon catheter shaft;

an active agent layer disposed on the expandable balloon;

fastening the proximal collar of the tunneling sheath onto the balloon catheter;

advancing the delivery system through a blood vessel of the subject so as to be adjacent the site of an area to be treated, wherein the position of the expandable balloon is stationary relative to the tubular shaft as the delivery system is advanced through the blood vessel of the patient;

unfastening the proximal collar of the tunneling sheath from the balloon catheter;

advancing the balloon catheter shaft and the expandable balloon at least part way out of the tubular shaft; and

inflating the expandable balloon so that it contacts the area to be treated; and

wherein inserting a delivery system for introducing an active agent coated balloon into a subject further comprises inserting the delivery system through an introducer sheath configured to be disposed about the tubular shaft of the tunneling sheath.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

deflating the expandable balloon;

moving the balloon catheter shaft and the expandable balloon back into the tubular shaft; and

withdrawing the delivery system from the blood vessel of the patient.

16. The method of claim 14 , the area to be treated comprising a lesion.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising an attachment mechanism to keep the tubular shaft and the balloon catheter shaft static to one another as the delivery system is advanced through the blood vessel of the subject.