US4989601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method, apparatus, and substance for treating tissue having neoplastic cells
Assignee: Cook Research Inc
•
Filing: 1988-09-22
•
Granted: 1991-02-05
•
Expires: 2008-09-22
Abstract
Abstract Method, apparatus, and a substance is disclosed for releasing at a temperature above normal tissue temperature an anti-cancer drug and applying heat in combination to tissue having neoplastic cells such as a malignant brain tumor. The apparatus comprises a probe having a semi-rigid elongated member that is interstitially implanted in the malignant tumor. The elongated member is coated with a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. An electrical thermistor is also included within the elongated member for measuring the temperature of the probe in order to regulate the release of the drug and the temperature of the surrounding tissue. The method includes interstitially implanting the elongated member of the probe in the tumor, energizing the electrical heater element, releasing the drug in response to the heat to effect one treatment, and heating the tissue and drug to effect a second treatment. The combination of the heat and drug treatments then has an effectiveness level greater than the effectiveness levels of the heat and drug treatments individually. The coating layer substance includes a combination of a carrier and a carried substance for releasing the carried substance at a predetermined temperature above normal tissue temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose A. Marchosky
- 👤 Christopher J. Moran
- 👤 Neal E. Fearnot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1007; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61N2005/1011; A61N2005/1012; A61N5/1027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A probe for treating a cancerous tumor comprising: an elongated member sized for and having a distal end tapered for interstitially implanting said elongated member in said cancerous tumor; a heater element positioned about said distal end for producing heat; and a coating layer joined with said member about said distal end and responsive to said heat for releasing at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tumor a drug for providing a treatment of said tumor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A probe for treating a cancerous tumor comprising: an elongated member sized for and having a distal end tapered for interstitially implanting said elongated member in said cancerous tumor; a heater element positioned about said distal end for producing heat; and a coating layer joined with said member about said distal end and responsive to said heat for releasing at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tumor a drug for providing a treatment of said tumor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said coating layer includes said drug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said coating layer comprises a substance responsive at said predetermined temperature for releasing said drug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A probe for treating tissue having neoplastic ells comprising: an elongated member having a distal end tapered for interstitially implanting said member in said tissue; a carrier joined with an outer layer of said member about said distal end and responsive to said tissue for releasing a drug for treating said neoplastic cells; and a heater element positioned about said distal end for thermally conducting heat to further treat said neoplastic cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A probe for treating tissue having neoplastic ells comprising: an elongated member having a distal end tapered for interstitially implanting said member in said tissue; a carrier joined with an outer layer of said member about said distal end and responsive to said tissue for releasing a drug for treating said neoplastic cells; and a heater element positioned about said distal end for thermally conducting heat to further treat said neoplastic cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
The probe of claim 4 further comprising said drug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe of claim 4 further comprising a sensor having an electrical characteristic that changes in response to changes in temperature for measuring a temperature of said probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The probe of claim 4 wherein said elongated member comprises a semi-rigid thermally conductive material for distributing said heat across said outer layer in a predetermined manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The probe of claim 4 wherein said carrier comprises a substance for adhering to said outer layer and responsive to said tissue for releasing said drug over a predetermined period of time to said tissue.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of treating tissue having neoplastic cells with a probe having an elongated member including an outer layer for releasing a drug and a heater element for heating said elongated member, comprising the steps of: interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; releasing said drug from said outer layer to said tissue when said member is interstitially implanted in said tissue, said drug for providing a treatment of said neoplastic cells; energizing said heater element for producing said heat; and heating said tissue to a first predetermined temperature in response to said heat for providing a second treatment of said neoplastic cells.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of treating tissue having neoplastic cells with a probe having an elongated member including an outer layer for releasing a drug and a heater element for heating said elongated member, comprising the steps of: interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; releasing said drug from said outer layer to said tissue when said member is interstitially implanted in said tissue, said drug for providing a treatment of said neoplastic cells; energizing said heater element for producing said heat; and heating said tissue to a first predetermined temperature in response to said heat for providing a second treatment of said neoplastic cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said drug treatment of said neoplastic cells has a first predetermined effectiveness level and said method further comprises heating said drug to a second predetermined temperature in response to said heat for increasing the effectiveness level of said drug treatment to a second predetermined level greater than said first level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said probe further includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of said member and wherein said method further comprises measuring the temperature of said member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of treating tissue with a probe having an elongated member including an outer layer responsive at a predetermined temperature above a tissue temperature for releasing a substance and also having a heater element for heating said elongated member; comprising the steps of: interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; heating said outer layer of said elongated member to said predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue; and releasing from said outer layer at said predetermined temperature said substance interstitially to said tissue, said substance for providing a treatment of said tissue.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of treating tissue with a probe having an elongated member including an outer layer responsive at a predetermined temperature above a tissue temperature for releasing a substance and also having a heater element for heating said elongated member; comprising the steps of: interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; heating said outer layer of said elongated member to said predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue; and releasing from said outer layer at said predetermined temperature said substance interstitially to said tissue, said substance for providing a treatment of said tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising heating said tissue to a second predetermined temperature with said elongated member for providing a second treatment of said tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising measuring the temperature of said elongated member for maintaining said tissue at said second predetermined temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for treating tissue comprising: an elongated member having a coating, said coating comprising a carrier substance responsive at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue for releasing a carried substance interstitially to a tissue, said elongated member sized for and having an end tapered for interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; and said elongated member including therein a heater element for heating said carrier substance to said predetermined temperature above said tissue temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for treating tissue comprising: an elongated member having a coating, said coating comprising a carrier substance responsive at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue for releasing a carried substance interstitially to a tissue, said elongated member sized for and having an end tapered for interstitially implanting said elongated member in said tissue; and said elongated member including therein a heater element for heating said carrier substance to said predetermined temperature above said tissue temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said elongated member further includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of said elongated member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising said carried substance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for treating tissue having cancerous cells comprising: an elongated member having a distal end for interstitially implanting said member in said tissue; carrier means joined with said member about said distal end and responsive at a first predetermined temperature above a second tissue temperature for releasing a drug interstitially to said tissue, said drug for providing a treatment of said cancerous cells; and means for heating said carrier means to said first predetermined temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for treating tissue having cancerous cells comprising: an elongated member having a distal end for interstitially implanting said member in said tissue; carrier means joined with said member about said distal end and responsive at a first predetermined temperature above a second tissue temperature for releasing a drug interstitially to said tissue, said drug for providing a treatment of said cancerous cells; and means for heating said carrier means to said first predetermined temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for heating comprises an electrical heater element positioned within said elongated member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said elongated member comprises a semi-rigid conductive material for heating said carrier means in a predetermined manner.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising sensor means positioned within said elongated member for measuring temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising means for measuring power delivered to said means for heating.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
9 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising said drug.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said carrier means comprises a carrier substance responsive at said first temperature above said tissue temperature for releasing said drug interstitially to said tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said carrier substance includes at least one type of molecule selected from the group consisting of polypeptide-, protein-, and carbohydrate chain-based molecules.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said carrier substance includes at least one type of molecule selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate-, protein-, nucleotide-, and fatty acid-based molecules.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said carrier substance includes molecules for attaching to molecules of said elongated member and also for attaching to molecules of said drug.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said carrier substance includes molecules for encapsulating molecules of said drug.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said molecules of said carrier substance for encapsulating said molecules of said drug includes a surface for adhering to a surface of said elongated member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said drug includes molecules for adhering to a surface of said member and wherein said carrier substance comprises a micropore membrane surrounding said drug for diffusing said drug into said tissue.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said elongated member includes a surface having a port therein; wherein said carrier substance comprises a micropore membrane for surrounding said surface of said elongated member having said port therein; and wherein said drug is injected through said port between said micropore membrane and said member surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said carrier substance includes a chain of fatty acid molecules.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
84 words
An elongated member for use with tissue treatment apparatus and serving to provide a first modality, said first modality for providing a first treatment of tissue, and said member also serving to provide at least one additional modality for providing further treatment of said tissue, characterized in that said member is sized and has a distal end for insertion interstitially in said tissue and that said modalities are provided concomitantly and are arranged so that said additional modality is activated by said first modality.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
84 words
An elongated member for use with tissue treatment apparatus and serving to provide a first modality, said first modality for providing a first treatment of tissue, and said member also serving to provide at least one additional modality for providing further treatment of said tissue, characterized in that said member is sized and has a distal end for insertion interstitially in said tissue and that said modalities are provided concomitantly and are arranged so that said additional modality is activated by said first modality.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
A member according to claim 33, characterized in that said first modality includes a heating arrangement for thermal conductive heating of said tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
47 words
A member according to claim 34, characterized in that said additional modality includes carried and carrier substances joined with an outer layer of said member, said carrier substance being responsive to the thermally conductive heating for releasing into said tissue said carried substance for said further treatment.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
57 words
An elongated member according to claim 34 characterized in that said heating arrangement within said member is connected to a separate power supply to provide hyperthermia treatment, and in that the said further treatment involves the release of chemical treatment material, the release being activated by said heating arrangement when said member is inserted in said tissue.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
An elongated member for use with tissue treatment apparatus and serving to provide a first modality, said first modality for providing a first treatment of tissue, and said member also serving to provide at least one additional modality for providing further treatment of said tissue, characterized in that said member is sized and has a distal end for interstitially inserting said member in said tissue and that said modalities are arranged so that said first and further treatments are provided concomitantly for improving the combined effectiveness of said first and further treatments.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
92 words
An elongated member for use with tissue treatment apparatus and serving to provide a first modality, said first modality for providing a first treatment of tissue, and said member also serving to provide at least one additional modality for providing further treatment of said tissue, characterized in that said member is sized and has a distal end for interstitially inserting said member in said tissue and that said modalities are arranged so that said first and further treatments are provided concomitantly for improving the combined effectiveness of said first and further treatments.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A member according to claim 37, characterized in that a passageway longitudinally extends in said member, and in that said passageway serves to selectively receive heating means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
A member according to claim 38, characterized in that apertures are provided between the said passageway and the outer surface of said member in order to permit chemical material to be implanted in said tissue.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-04 | 1994-08-06 | 1995-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | 1999-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-04 | 2002-08-06 | 2003-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |