Patent US4886831A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4886831A
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Medical uses for phycocyanin
Assignee: CALIFORNIA 2199 ADDISON STREET BERKELEY CALIFORNIA 94720, University of, Regents of
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Filing: 1987-03-16
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Granted: 1989-12-12
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Expires: 2007-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A photochemical method is described for treating atherosclerosis or cancer wherein phycocyanin is injected into a patient suffering from one of these diseases. Once injected, phycocyanin is selectively taken up into atherosclerotic plaques or cancer cells, and upon subsequent irradiation destruction of the atherosclerotic plaques or cancer cells occurs. Phycocyanin offers several advantages over prior art chemicals used for similar purposes. First it is only marginally sensitive to the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum; consequently patients can be irradiated without concern that they will be sensitized to subsequent exposure to sunlight. Second, phycocyanin is selectively taken up into atherosclerotic plaques, with little or no uptake by surrounding normal cells. This ensures that upon subsequent irradiation that the atherosclerotic plaques are selectively destroyed with little or no damage to the surrounding cells or tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 N. Charle Morcos
- 👤 Walter L. Henry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/33; A61K31/395; A61K31/40; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S607/00; Y10S607/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques comprising: a. intravascular injection of a pyhysiologtically compatible solution containing an effective amount of phycocyanin to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said atherosclerotic plaques; b. intravascular insertion of a means for irradiating said plaques in contact with said phycocyanin with light of certain wavelengths; and c. exposure of said plaques to said means of irradiating light for a period of time effective to destroy said plaques.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques comprising: a. intravascular injection of a pyhysiologtically compatible solution containing an effective amount of phycocyanin to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said atherosclerotic plaques; b. intravascular insertion of a means for irradiating said plaques in contact with said phycocyanin with light of certain wavelengths; and c. exposure of said plaques to said means of irradiating light for a period of time effective to destroy said plaques.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said means for irradiating said plaques is a light-emitting catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said means for irradiating said plaques is a laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said means for irradiating said plaques is a source of liquid light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said phycocyanin is injected intravenously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 3 wherein said means for irradiating said plaques emits light having a wavelength selected from the group consisting of 375 nm, 485-581 nm, 600 nm, 620 nm, and 647 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said phycocyanin is present at a concentration of less than 0.5 gm/kg of body weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said concentration of said phycocyanin injected intravenously does not exceed 0.5 gm/kg of body weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said intravenous injection dose does not exceed 0.3 gm/kg of body weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for treating atherosclerosis by destroying atherosclerotic plaques as described in claim 1 wherein said injection step includes intraperitoneal injection and said concentration of said phycocyanin is not over 0.5 gm/kg of body weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4512762A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |