Endovascular treatment of a blood vessel using a light source
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a blood vessel, comprising:
- providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm; and
delivering endovascularly the beam of light to a wall of a targeted blood vessel.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus to endovascularly treat blood vessels using a light beam that causes minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissue is described. The technique can improve the appearance of a blood vessel and/or reduce its size, as well as relieve other medical symptoms. The wavelength of the light beam can be selected so as to heat one or more chromophores either inside the blood vessel or within the blood vessel wall itself. Access to the vein lumen of the targeted blood vessel can be obtained via an optical fiber inserted into the blood vessel through a catheter.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of treating a blood vessel, comprising:
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providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm; and
delivering endovascularly the beam of light to a wall of a targeted blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating a blood vessel, comprising:
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providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm;
introducing a light-absorbing medium adjacent a wall of a targeted blood vessel, the light-absorbing medium absorbing at least one wavelength of the beam of light; and
delivering endovascularly the beam of light to the light-absorbing medium.
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21. An apparatus for treating a blood vessel, the apparatus comprising:
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a light source providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm;
a delivery system for introducing a light-absorbing medium adjacent a wall of a targeted blood vessel; and
an optical fiber for delivering endovascularly the beam of light to the light-absorbing medium in the targeted blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for treating a blood vessel, comprising:
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means for providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm;
means for introducing a light-absorbing medium adjacent a wall of a targeted blood vessel; and
means for delivering endovascularly the beam of light to the light-absorbing medium.
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28. A kit for treating a blood vessel, the kit comprising:
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a light source providing a beam of light comprising a wavelength longer than about 1,160 nm;
an optical fiber for delivering endovascularly the beam of light to a wall of a targeted blood vessel; and
instructions means comprising instructions for using the light source and optical fiber to improve the appearance of the targeted blood vessel by reducing its size.
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Specification