Heat treatment of inflamed tissue
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of treating inflammation in vivo comprising heating an inflamed tissue at a temperature in the range of about 38.5°
- C. to 44°
C.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for treating inflammation in body tissues. More specifically, certain disclosed methods relate to selectively inducing apoptosis in inflammatory immune cells. The methods are particularly suitable for treating inflamed atherosclerotic plaques. The techniques generally involve heating the cells with a catheter that is equipped to produce infrared radiation. The cells are heated for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to induce programmed cell death.
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Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A method of treating inflammation in vivo comprising heating an inflamed tissue at a temperature in the range of about 38.5°
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14. A method for treating inflammation comprising heating inflamed tissue at a temperature in the range of 38.5°
- C. to 41°
C.
- C. to 41°
- 15. A method for treating information comprising heating inflamed tissue for a period of time in the range of approximately 15 to 60 minutes.
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17. A method for treating inflammation comprising heating inflamed tissue and treating said inflamed tissue with a chemical agent wherein said chemical agent is a cytokine.
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18. A method for treating inflammation comprising heating inflamed tissue and treating said inflamed tissue with a chemical agent wherein said chemical agent is a growth factor.
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19. A method for treating inflammation comprising heating inflamed tissue and treating said inflamed tissue with a chemical agent wherein said chemical agent is a growth factor selected from the group consisting of insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor.
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20. A method of treating an atherosclerotic plaque comprising an inflamed atherosclerotic plaque in the lumen of a blood vessel with a heat source having a temperature in the range of from about 38.5°
- C. to 44°
C. for a period of time ranging from about 15 to 60 minutes and inducing apoptosis in a macrophage.
- C. to 44°
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21. A method for inducing quiescence or apoptosis in inflammatory cells comprising the step of heating inflammatory cells in a blood vessel at about 38.5°
- C. to 44°
C. for about 15 to 60 minutes. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
- C. to 44°
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24. A method for inducing quiescence or apoptosis in inflammatory cells comprising the step of heating inflammatory cells in a blood vessel for fifteen (15) minutes.
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25. A method for inducing quiescence or apoptosis in inflammatory cells comprising the step of heating inflammatory cells in a blood vessel in at a temperature of between approximately 41°
- C. and 44°
C.
- C. and 44°
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26. A method of treating an atherosclerotic plaque comprising the step of treating an atherosclerotic plaque with heat in the range of 38.5°
- C. to 44°
C.
- C. to 44°
- 27. A method of treating inflammation comprising heating inflamed body tissue by heating a stent that is in thermal contact with the inflamed body tissue.
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30. A method of reducing the risk of death from myocardial infarction or stroke due to rupture of atherosclerotic plaque comprising treating an inflamed atherosclerotic plaque with heat in the range of 38°
- C. to 44°
C. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
- C. to 44°
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34. A method of decreasing or eliminating inflammation in a localized region of tissue comprising heating said region at about 38-44°
- C. for about 5-60 minutes.
- View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
Specification