US5876397A
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US
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Reduction of an arteriosclerotic lesion by selective absorption of electromagnetic energy in a component thereof
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
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Filing: 1992-09-29
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2012-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A novel method for reducing an arteriosclerotic lesion is disclosed in which the electromagnetic energy directed at the lesion is selectively absorbed by a lesion component, e.g. cholesterol. The resulting decomposition of said lesion component leads to reduction of the lesion with minimal risk of damage to blood constituents and adjacent healthy blood vessel tissue. Preferably, monochromatic electromagnetic energy is generated by a laser and is conducted to the vicinity of the lesion by at least one optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 William Edelman
- 👤 Robert F. Rosenbluth
- 👤 Dennis Constantinou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/28; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for reducing an arteriosclerotic lesion in a blood vessel of a patient which comprises directing sufficient electromagnetic energy at said lesion to reduce it, with essentially all of said electromagnetic energy directed at said lesion being of a wavelength in the ultraviolet region at which energy is selectively absorbed, as compared to absorption by whole blood and non-arteriosclerotic blood vessel tissue, by a lesion component present in said lesion at a greater weight percentage (dry basis) than in the whole blood or surrounding non-arteriosclerotic blood vessel tissue of the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for reducing an arteriosclerotic lesion in a blood vessel of a patient which comprises directing sufficient electromagnetic energy at said lesion to reduce it, with essentially all of said electromagnetic energy directed at said lesion being of a wavelength in the ultraviolet region at which energy is selectively absorbed, as compared to absorption by whole blood and non-arteriosclerotic blood vessel tissue, by a lesion component present in said lesion at a greater weight percentage (dry basis) than in the whole blood or surrounding non-arteriosclerotic blood vessel tissue of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wavelength is from about 200 nanometers to about 300 nanometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said lesion component is present in said lesion at no less than about 1 percent of the total weight of said lesion on a dry basis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said lesion component is present in said lesion at no less than about 5 percent of the total weight of said lesion on a dry basis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said lesion component is cholesterol and essentially all of said electromagnetic energy directed at said lesion is of a wavelength of about 248 nanometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said electromagnetic energy is generated by a krypton/fluorine excimer laser and conducted to the vicinity of said lesion by at least one optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said optical fiber is a fused silica optical fiber having a core diameter of from about 100 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy directed at said lesion is monochromatic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said electromagnetic energy is generated by a laser and conducted to the vicinity of said lesion by at least one optical fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said laser is an excimer laser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |