Patent GB446970A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5766234A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implanting and fixing a flexible probe for administering a medical therapy at a treatment site within a patient'body
Assignee: Purdue Pharma LP
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Filing: 1996-04-16
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2016-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatment site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) on which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524, 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522). Due to the characteristic elastic properties of the flexible substrate, the flexible probe can readily be bent, folded, or rolled while being disposed at the internal treatment site. Thus, for example, a curved surgical needle (650) can be used to implant a flexible probe at the treatment site by drawing the flexible probe through tissue along a curved path to a desired position; one or more disk-shaped buttons (660, 670) that are attached to the ends of the flexible probe can be used to secure the flexible probe so that it does not move from the desired position.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Chen
- 👤 Brent Wiscombe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0613; A61N5/062; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00274; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0404; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0458; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00547; A61N5/0603; A61N2005/061; A61N2005/0635; A61N2005/0643; A61N2005/0645; A61N2005/065; A61N2005/0651; A61N2005/0652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage; (b) attaching the strip to a surgical needle; (c) forcing the surgical needle through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, so that the strip comprising the flexible probe is drawn into the tissue by the surgical needle, along a path followed by the surgical needle; (d) once the strip is implanted with the surgical needle in the desired position at the treatment site, disconnecting the surgical needle from the strip; (e) withdrawing the surgical needle from the tissue, leaving the strip disposed in the desired position within the patient's body to administer the medical treatment to the treatment site; (f) securing one end of the strip to a first object, said first object serving to anchor the strip in the desired position at the treatment site, preventing movement of the strip relative to the treatment site; and (g) securing a second object to another end of said strip after the strip is disposed at the desired position, said second object including a sleeve that slips over the strip.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage; (b) attaching the strip to a surgical needle; (c) forcing the surgical needle through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, so that the strip comprising the flexible probe is drawn into the tissue by the surgical needle, along a path followed by the surgical needle; (d) once the strip is implanted with the surgical needle in the desired position at the treatment site, disconnecting the surgical needle from the strip; (e) withdrawing the surgical needle from the tissue, leaving the strip disposed in the desired position within the patient's body to administer the medical treatment to the treatment site; (f) securing one end of the strip to a first object, said first object serving to anchor the strip in the desired position at the treatment site, preventing movement of the strip relative to the treatment site; and (g) securing a second object to another end of said strip after the strip is disposed at the desired position, said second object including a sleeve that slips over the strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of securing the first object to a tissue surface in the patient's body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second object further serves to anchor the strip in the desired position at the treatment site, preventing movement of the strip relative to the treatment site.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second object includes a lead that is coupled to the strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of securing the second object comprises one of the steps of: crimping the sleeve of the second object about the strip, adhesively connecting the second object to the strip, connecting the second object to the strip with a threaded fastener, connecting the second object to the strip with a pin that extends through the sleeve and into the strip, and suturing the second object to the strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forcing the surgical needle includes one of the steps of: grasping the surgical needle with a needle holder, and pulling the surgical needle into the desired position with forceps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A medical procedure for implanting and stabilizing a flexible probe at a desired position within a patient's body, said flexible probe being used for effecting a light therapy at a treatment site proximate the desired position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a strip of a flexible substrate on which is disposed a light source for effecting the light therapy, said strip having a cross-sectional dimension, and a length, said length of the strip being substantially greater than its cross-sectional dimension; (b) coupling a distal end of the strip to a pointed instrument; (c) forcing the pointed instrument through tissue in the body of the patient, so that the pointed instrument draws the strip after it into the desired position at the treatment site; (d) decoupling the strip from the pointed instrument; and (e) withdrawing the pointed instrument from the patient's body, leaving the strip and the light source disposed at the desired location to administer the light therapy to the treatment site.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A medical procedure for implanting and stabilizing a flexible probe at a desired position within a patient's body, said flexible probe being used for effecting a light therapy at a treatment site proximate the desired position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a strip of a flexible substrate on which is disposed a light source for effecting the light therapy, said strip having a cross-sectional dimension, and a length, said length of the strip being substantially greater than its cross-sectional dimension; (b) coupling a distal end of the strip to a pointed instrument; (c) forcing the pointed instrument through tissue in the body of the patient, so that the pointed instrument draws the strip after it into the desired position at the treatment site; (d) decoupling the strip from the pointed instrument; and (e) withdrawing the pointed instrument from the patient's body, leaving the strip and the light source disposed at the desired location to administer the light therapy to the treatment site.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of securing the strip so that it does not move from the desired position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of coupling an object having a relatively larger cross-sectional size than the strip to at least one end of the strip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of coupling an object having a relatively larger cross-sectional size than the strip to both ends of the strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of coupling the strip using one of an adhesive, a crimped sleeve, a threaded fastener, a pin, and a suture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the pointed instrument comprises a surgical needle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of passing a lead from the strip through an opening in an object; and fastening the object to the lead to secure the strip in the desired position, said lead extending proximally beyond the object to a different location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7, wherein a distal end of the strip is secured to an object that is disposed against a tissue surface to prevent movement of the strip from the desired position at the treatment site.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus adapted for administering a light therapy to a treatment site disposed within a patient's body, comprising: (a) a flexible strip having a width and a length, said width being substantially less than said length of the flexible strip, a light source being disposed on the flexible strip for effecting the light therapy at the treatment site; (b) a pointed instrument for defining a path through the tissue in the patient's body, said path being used for delivering the flexible strip to the treatment site in the patient's body; and (c) means for drawing the flexible strip behind the pointed instrument along the path through tissue in the patient's body so that the flexible strip is disposed in a desired position at the treatment site, and so that the light source is thereby enabled to administer the light therapy to the treatment site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus adapted for administering a light therapy to a treatment site disposed within a patient's body, comprising: (a) a flexible strip having a width and a length, said width being substantially less than said length of the flexible strip, a light source being disposed on the flexible strip for effecting the light therapy at the treatment site; (b) a pointed instrument for defining a path through the tissue in the patient's body, said path being used for delivering the flexible strip to the treatment site in the patient's body; and (c) means for drawing the flexible strip behind the pointed instrument along the path through tissue in the patient's body so that the flexible strip is disposed in a desired position at the treatment site, and so that the light source is thereby enabled to administer the light therapy to the treatment site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an object attachable to the flexible strip, said object being attached to at least one end of the flexible strip after the flexible strip is introduced to the treatment site, to secure the flexible strip in the desired position, preventing the flexible strip from moving away from the desired position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the object includes a sleeve that is sized to fit over an end of the flexible strip and to be secured thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sleeve is secured to the flexible strip by one of a crimp of the sleeve, an adhesive, a threaded fastener, a pin that extends through the sleeve, and a suture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object includes an opening, and wherein the flexible strip is attached to a lead that extends from the flexible strip to another location, said lead passing through the opening in the object and being secured to the object to prevent movement of the flexible strip away from the desired position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pointed instrument comprises a surgical needle.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body to deliver a light therapy to the treatment site, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage, said flexible strip including a plurality of light sources for effecting the light therapy; (b) forcing a pointed instrument through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, creating a path through the tissue; (c) drawing the strip comprising the flexible probe into the tissue, along the path followed by the pointed instrument; and (d) once the strip is implanted at the treatment site, administering the light therapy to the treatment site with the plurality of light sources.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body to deliver a light therapy to the treatment site, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage, said flexible strip including a plurality of light sources for effecting the light therapy; (b) forcing a pointed instrument through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, creating a path through the tissue; (c) drawing the strip comprising the flexible probe into the tissue, along the path followed by the pointed instrument; and (d) once the strip is implanted at the treatment site, administering the light therapy to the treatment site with the plurality of light sources.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 21, wherein a line is coupled to the pointed instrument so that the line is drawn through the tissue behind the pointed instrument and extends behind the pointed instrument along the path followed thereby, wherein the step of drawing the strip comprises the step of coupling the strip to the line and pulling the line along the path through the tissue to advance the strip into the treatment site.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the strip is coupled to the pointed instrument and is drawn into the treatment site as the pointed instrument is advanced.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
282 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage; (b) attaching the strip to a surgical needle; (c) forcing the surgical needle through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, so that the strip comprising the flexible probe is drawn into the tissue by the surgical needle, along a path followed by the surgical needle; (d) once the strip is implanted with the surgical needle in the desired position at the treatment site, disconnecting the surgical needle from the strip; (e) withdrawing the surgical needle from the tissue, leaving the strip disposed in the desired position within the patient's body to administer the medical treatment to the treatment site; (f) securing one end of the strip to a first object, said first object serving to anchor the strip in the desired position at the treatment site, preventing movement of the strip relative to the treatment site; and (g) securing a second object to another end of said strip after the strip is disposed at the desired position, said second object including a sleeve that slips over the strip, said step of securing including one of the steps of: crimping the sleeve of the second object about the strip, adhesively connecting the second object to the strip, connecting the second object to the strip with a threaded fastener, connecting the second object to the strip with a pin that extends through the sleeve and into the strip, and suturing the second object to the strip.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
282 words
A method for implanting and fixing a flexible probe in a desired position at a treatment site within a patient's body, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a flexible probe that comprises an elongate strip having sufficient flexibility to sustain deformation and bending without damage; (b) attaching the strip to a surgical needle; (c) forcing the surgical needle through tissue to the treatment site within the patient's body, so that the strip comprising the flexible probe is drawn into the tissue by the surgical needle, along a path followed by the surgical needle; (d) once the strip is implanted with the surgical needle in the desired position at the treatment site, disconnecting the surgical needle from the strip; (e) withdrawing the surgical needle from the tissue, leaving the strip disposed in the desired position within the patient's body to administer the medical treatment to the treatment site; (f) securing one end of the strip to a first object, said first object serving to anchor the strip in the desired position at the treatment site, preventing movement of the strip relative to the treatment site; and (g) securing a second object to another end of said strip after the strip is disposed at the desired position, said second object including a sleeve that slips over the strip, said step of securing including one of the steps of: crimping the sleeve of the second object about the strip, adhesively connecting the second object to the strip, connecting the second object to the strip with a threaded fastener, connecting the second object to the strip with a pin that extends through the sleeve and into the strip, and suturing the second object to the strip.
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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) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |