US5593403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for modifying a stent in an implanted site
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-14
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2014-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A stent in an implanted site is subjected to pulses of laser or sonic energy from external means thereby altering its physical structure without substantially altering or damaging tissue surrounding the implanted site.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Buscemi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/26; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for modifying an implanted stent in an implant site comprising subjecting the stent to blasts of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to affect the physical structure of the stent without substantially affecting the implant site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for modifying an implanted stent in an implant site comprising subjecting the stent to blasts of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to affect the physical structure of the stent without substantially affecting the implant site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stent is made of metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stent is made of a polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the stent is biodegradable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 Wherein the stent is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, PTFE, polylactides, polyglycolides, polycaprolactone, polyesters, polyethylene, carbohydrates, polycarbohydrates, collagen, crosslinked collagen, and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of removing an implanted biodegradable stent in an implanted site in an animal body or lumen, the method comprising: (a) inserting an optical fiber of diameter less than about 600 microns into the body so that the distal end of the fiber can directly illuminate both the biodegradable stent to be destroyed and liquid surrounding the biodegradable stent; and (b) triggering a shockwave within the biodegradable stent through application of pulsed laser light having an energy per pulse between about 5 millijoules and 200 millijoules and intensity of at least 5 megawatts per square centimeter to the biodegradable stent via the optical fiber to cause shockwave fragmentation of the biodegradable stent so that the biodegradable stent is fragmented and none of the surrounding tissue is substantially affected.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of removing an implanted biodegradable stent in an implanted site in an animal body or lumen, the method comprising: (a) inserting an optical fiber of diameter less than about 600 microns into the body so that the distal end of the fiber can directly illuminate both the biodegradable stent to be destroyed and liquid surrounding the biodegradable stent; and (b) triggering a shockwave within the biodegradable stent through application of pulsed laser light having an energy per pulse between about 5 millijoules and 200 millijoules and intensity of at least 5 megawatts per square centimeter to the biodegradable stent via the optical fiber to cause shockwave fragmentation of the biodegradable stent so that the biodegradable stent is fragmented and none of the surrounding tissue is substantially affected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pulsed laser has a duration of between about 0.05 and 10 microseconds and a wavelength of between about 600-900 nanometers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for removing an implanted biodegradable stent from an implant site comprising subjecting the biodegradable stent to an excimer laser pulse of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per pulse and pulse duration to vaporize the biodegradable stent without substantially affecting the tissue at the implant site.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for removing an implanted biodegradable stent from an implant site comprising subjecting the biodegradable stent to an excimer laser pulse of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per pulse and pulse duration to vaporize the biodegradable stent without substantially affecting the tissue at the implant site.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for breaking down an implanted biodegradable stent in an implant site comprising the step of subjecting the biodegradable stent to at least one blast of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to break down the stent.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for breaking down an implanted biodegradable stent in an implant site comprising the step of subjecting the biodegradable stent to at least one blast of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to break down the stent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said energy blasts are blasts of sonic energy delivered by extracorporeal means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for accelerating the dissolution of an implanted biodegradable stent in an implant site comprising subjecting the biodegradable stent to blasts of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to vaporize the physical structure of the polymeric stent without substantially affecting the implant site said blasts of energy being provided by an excimer laser.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for accelerating the dissolution of an implanted biodegradable stent in an implant site comprising subjecting the biodegradable stent to blasts of energy of sufficient wavelength, intensity, energy per blast and blast duration to vaporize the physical structure of the polymeric stent without substantially affecting the implant site said blasts of energy being provided by an excimer laser.
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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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |