Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for preventing restenosis in a blood vessel following transluminal angioplasty by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, comprising the steps of: administering a photoactivatable psoralen to a patient in need thereof, said psoralen being administered in an amount to achieve local arterial tissue levels of psoralen sufficient for inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth when the psoralen is photoactivated; and delivering radiation in the visible wavelength range equal to or greater than about 420 nanometers to the stenosed region of the blood vessel at a level sufficient for photoactivation of the psoralen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for preventing restenosis in a blood vessel following transluminal angioplasty by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, comprising the steps of: administering a photoactivatable psoralen to a patient in need thereof, said psoralen being administered in an amount to achieve local arterial tissue levels of psoralen sufficient for inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth when the psoralen is photoactivated; and delivering radiation in the visible wavelength range equal to or greater than about 420 nanometers to the stenosed region of the blood vessel at a level sufficient for photoactivation of the psoralen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the psoralen is administered systemically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the psoralen is administered locally.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the radiation is delivered to the stenosed region through an optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the psoralen comprises 8-methoxypsoralen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of administering a photoactivatable psoralen includes the steps of advancing a catheter having a porous balloon at or near its distal end to the stenosed region of the blood vessel and delivering the photoactivatable psoralen through said porous balloon to the stenosed region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of delivering radiation includes providing said catheter with an optical fiber having a diffusing tip that is located within said porous balloon and delivering radiation through said optical fiber and said diffusing tip such that said radiation passes through said porous balloon and irradiates said blood vessel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for preventing restenosis in a blood vessel following transluminal angioplasty by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, comprising the steps of: administering a photoactivatable psoralen comprising 8-methoxypsoralen to a patient in need thereof, said psoralen being administered in an amount to achieve local arterial tissue levels of psoralen sufficient for inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth when the psoralen is activated; and delivering radiation in the visible wavelength range to the stenosed region of the blood vessel at a level sufficient for activation of the psoralen, said radiation having a maximum intensity at a wavelength of about 420 nanometers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for preventing restenosis in a blood vessel following transluminal angioplasty by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, comprising the steps of: administering a photoactivatable psoralen comprising 8-methoxypsoralen to a patient in need thereof, said psoralen being administered in an amount to achieve local arterial tissue levels of psoralen sufficient for inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth when the psoralen is activated; and delivering radiation in the visible wavelength range to the stenosed region of the blood vessel at a level sufficient for activation of the psoralen, said radiation having a maximum intensity at a wavelength of about 420 nanometers.