LIGHT GENERATING DEVICE FOR INTRAVASCULAR USE
First Claim
1. A method for using photodynamic therapy to treat vascular tissue, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a vascular illumination apparatus comprising a guidewire, the guidewire including;
(i) at least one light source element disposed at a distal end of the guidewire, the at least one light source element, when energized, emitting light having a characteristic emission waveband; and
(ii) at least one conductor configured to couple the at least one light source to a power supply to enable the at least one light source element to be energized;
(b) administering a photoreactive agent to target vascular tissue in a patient, the photoreactive agent having a characteristic absorption waveband corresponding to the characteristic emission waveband of the at least one light source element;
(c) advancing the vascular illumination apparatus through the vascular system of the patient until the at least one light source element is disposed adjacent to the vascular target tissue; and
(d) energizing the at least one light source element to administer light to the vascular target tissue, the application of light to the vascular target tissue resulting in at least one of a therapeutic effect and generation of diagnostic data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Light sources are incorporated into a guidewire for enabling the ability to render light therapy be added to catheters that do not have that capability. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid guidewire includes a conductive core, and light sources are added to compartments formed in a distal end of the guidewire. In another exemplary embodiment, a light source array is included in a distal end of a hollow guidewire. A plurality of openings are formed into the walls of the hollow guidewire surrounding the array, enabling light to pass through the openings. Conductors extend from the array though the hollow center of the guidewire, to a proximal end of the hollow guidewire. The hollow guidewire can be coated with a conductive material, so that the coating on the guidewire serves as a conductor.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for using photodynamic therapy to treat vascular tissue, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a vascular illumination apparatus comprising a guidewire, the guidewire including;
(i) at least one light source element disposed at a distal end of the guidewire, the at least one light source element, when energized, emitting light having a characteristic emission waveband; and
(ii) at least one conductor configured to couple the at least one light source to a power supply to enable the at least one light source element to be energized;
(b) administering a photoreactive agent to target vascular tissue in a patient, the photoreactive agent having a characteristic absorption waveband corresponding to the characteristic emission waveband of the at least one light source element;
(c) advancing the vascular illumination apparatus through the vascular system of the patient until the at least one light source element is disposed adjacent to the vascular target tissue; and
(d) energizing the at least one light source element to administer light to the vascular target tissue, the application of light to the vascular target tissue resulting in at least one of a therapeutic effect and generation of diagnostic data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of making a guidewire including at least one light source, comprising the steps of:
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(a) incorporating at least one light source into a distal end of the guidewire; and
(b) extending electrical conductors from the at least one light source to a proximal end of the guidewire, so that the electrical conductors can be used to selectively energize the at least one light source, when a proximal end of the electrical conductors are coupled to a source of electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A light emitting guidewire comprising at least one light source disposed at a distal end of the guidewire, and a conductive path configured to electrically couple the at least one light source to an external power supply.
Specification