초록 ▼

A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque is disclosed. The disclosed method includes injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque, and delivering light to the diseased vessel so that the light act

A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque is disclosed. The disclosed method includes injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque, and delivering light to the diseased vessel so that the light activates the hematoporphyrin for lysis of the plaque. The preferred method utilizes a balloon catheter equipped with flexible optical fibers for transmission of light from an external source for illumination of the interior of the inflated balloon. By inflation of the balloon, the opaque blood between the balloon and the atheromatous plaque is displaced to facilitate activation of the hematoporphyrin. The balloon may be illuminated and inflated and deflated in a cycle responsive to the patient\s pulse so as to minimize interference with blood flow.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque in a diseased blood vessel, said process comprising: injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal to be treated for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque; inserting a light-emitting catheter into t

A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque in a diseased blood vessel, said process comprising: injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal to be treated for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque; inserting a light-emitting catheter into the diseased vessel so that the light-emitting portion of the catheter is adjacent the atheromatous plaque to be lysed; and exposing the hematoporphyrin within said atheromatous plaque to light transmitted through the catheter for lysis of the plaque.