Method and apparatus for treating tissue with first and second modalities
First Claim
1. Apparatus for treating tissue, comprising:
- an elongated member interstitially implantable in said tissue and having a distal end for interstitially penetrating said tissue;
a passageway longitudinally positioned in said member for positioning a first modality in said member, said first modality for providing a first treatment of said tissue; and
a second modality positioned about said distal end and responsive to said first modality for providing a second treatment of said tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus is disclosed for treating tissue interstitially with multiple modalities of treatment. The apparatus comprises a semi-rigid elongated member that is implanted interstitially in the malignant tumor. A hollow passageway is longitudinally positioned in the member for positioning one or more modalities inserted or positioned therein. The elongated member is coated with another modality such as a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element for one modality produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. A second modality such as a source of radiation is inserted in the passageway after the probe is interstitially implanted. A trocar stylet is initially inserted in the passageway to implant the probe. When the probe is implanted, the trocar stylet is removed, and the heater element and/or source of radiation is inserted into the passageway. The several modalities combine in a synergistic manner to provide an overall treatment that has an effectiveness level greater than the sum of the individual modalities.
206 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for treating tissue, comprising:
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an elongated member interstitially implantable in said tissue and having a distal end for interstitially penetrating said tissue; a passageway longitudinally positioned in said member for positioning a first modality in said member, said first modality for providing a first treatment of said tissue; and a second modality positioned about said distal end and responsive to said first modality for providing a second treatment of said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for treating tissue comprising:
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an elongated member interstitially implantable in said tissue and having a distal end for interstitially penetrating said tissue; a passageway longitudinally positioned in said member for positioning a heater element therein, said heater element for producing heat; and a coating layer joined with said member about said distal end and responsive to said heat for releasing at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue a drug. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for treating tissue with a first and a second modality of treatment, comprising:
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implanting an elongated member interstitially in said tissue; positioning said first modality in a passageway longitudinally positioned in said member; and responsive to said first modality, providing said second modality positioned about a distal end of said member when implanted interstitially in said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Apparatus for treating tissue, comprising:
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an elongated member having a distal end for implanting said elongated member interstitially in said tissue; a passageway positioned longitudinally in said member; a stylet insertable into said passageway for implanting said member in said tissue; a heater element having a tube positioned therein and insertable into said passageway for producing heat for a first modality of treatment; a second elongated member insertable into said tube and including a source of radiation for a second modality of treatment; a coating layer joined with said member about said distal end responsive to said heat for releasing at a predetermined temperature above a temperature of said tissue a therapeutic substance for a third modality of treatment, the total effectiveness level of all of said modalities of treatment on said tissue being greater than the sum of each effectiveness level of said first, second, and third modalities individually.
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23. Apparatus for treating tissue, comprising:
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an elongated member interstitially implantable in said tissue and having a distal end for interstitially penetrating said tissue; a passageway longitudinally positioned in said member for positioning a first modality in said member, said first modality for providing a first treatment of said tissue; and a second modality positioned about said distal end and interactive with said first modality for providing a second treatment of said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification