Treatment using implantable devices

• US 6,668,197 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Imperial College Innovations Ltd. (Imperial College London)
• Inventors: Sangster, Alan John, Habib, Nagy Adly
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON III, HENRY M
• Application Number:
  US09/744,292
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 607/101, 607/103, 607/116, 607/102, 606/33
• US Class Current: 607/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/02 using microwaves

Abstract

A method of treatment using implantable devices is disclosed. he method comprises (a) implanting into the body of the human or non-human animal (i) a rectenna capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range and of generating and/or storing electrical energy therefrom, and (ii) an electrically operated therapeutic device arranged to electrical energy from said rectenna; and (b) directing electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range from a source external to the body being treated towards the position of the implanted rectenna so as to genera electrical energy to actuate said therapeutic device.

Claims

1. A method of performing hyperthermia treatment, in a human or non-human animal, which comprises the steps of:

(a) implanting into the body of the human or non-human animal

(i) a receiving device capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range of 1-2 GHz and of generating and/or storing electrical energy therefrom; and

(ii) an electronically operated therapeutic device arranged to receive electrical energy from said receiving device; and

(b) directing electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range of 1-2 GHz from a source external to the body being treated towards the implanted receiving device so as to generate electrical energy to actuate said therapeutic device.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said receiving device is a rectenna.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said electronically operated therapeutic device is at least one of:

(1) a device for delivering heat in a localized manner;

(2) a pump for assisting blood flow;

(3) a stent for ensuring lumen patency of hollow viscera and ducts;

(4) a pressure sensor for detecting localized pressures;

(5) a flow meter for determining passage of a fluid through a duct;

(6) a drug release device;

(7) a pacemaker;

or

(8) a detector for a particular chemical or biological material or species.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises one or more needle-like dipole elements for implanting into a tumor.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises an electrode or an assembly of electrodes adapted to heat adjacent tissues.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said electrode or assembly of electrodes is positioned around a tumor.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises a stent which is arranged to be heated.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that input of radiation to the body is achieved by means of a magnetic field coupler operating in the region of 1-2 GHz.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said magnetic field coupler is designed to carry at least 15 watts power during irradiation treatment.

10. An apparatus for providing hyperthermia treatment, which comprises a first assembly which, in use, is implanted within a human or non-human body and a second assembly which, in use, is located outside the body, characterized in that:

(a) said first assembly comprises;

(i) a plurality of antenna elements for the delivery of thermal energy to a site or sites where hyperthermia treatment is to be given;

(ii) a plurality of inner coupling elements corresponding in number to said antenna elements and each inner coupling element being associated with a given antenna element;

(iii) an electrical conductor connecting each antenna element with its respective inner coupling element;

and

(b) said second assembly comprises;

(i) a plurality of external coupling elements corresponding in number to the inner coupling elements of said first assembly and each external coupling element being associated with a given inner coupling element;

(ii) a power generating circuit adapted to deliver electromagnetic energy to said external coupling elements; and

(iii) an electronic control system for controlling the operation of the apparatus, wherein, when the apparatus is in operation;

(i) each of said external coupling elements is arranged to transmit electromagnetic radiation towards its corresponding inner coupling element, and each of said inner coupling elements is arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation; and

(ii) each of said antenna elements is arranged to convert electromagnetic radiation received by its respective inner coupling element into heat.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to allow different modes of activation of the individual antenna elements so as to permit variation of the spatio-temporal heat delivery.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said antenna elements are, in use, arranged to deliver thermal energy to a stent.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further characterized in that said electromagnetic radiation is microwave radiation.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said microwave radiation has a frequency in the range 1-2 GHz.

15. A set of devices for implantation into the body of a human or non-human animal, which set comprises:

(a) a receiving device capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range of 1-2 GHz and of generating and/or storing electrical energy therefrom, and

(b) an electrically operated therapeutic device arranged to receive electrical energy from said receiving device.

16. The set of devices of claim 15, characterized in that the said receiving device is a rectenna.

17. The set of devices of claim 15, characterized in that said electrically operated therapeutic device is at least one of:

(1) a device for delivering heat in a localized manner;

(2) a pump for assisting blood flow;

(3) a stent for ensuring lumen patency of hollow viscera and ducts;

(4) a pressure sensor for detecting localized pressures;

(5) a flow meter for determining passage of a fluid through a duct;

(6) a drug release device;

(7) a pacemaker;

or

(8) a detector for particular chemical or biological materials or species.

18. A set of devices as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises one or more needle-like dipole elements for implanting into a tumor.

19. A set of devices as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises an electrode or an assembly of electrodes adapted to heat adjacent tissues.

20. A set of devices as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said electrode or assembly of electrodes is positioned around a tumor.

21. A set of devices as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said therapeutic device comprises a stent which is arranged to be heated.

22. A set of devices as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that input of radiation to the body is achieved by means of a magnetic field coupler.

23. A set of devices as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that said magnetic field coupler is designed to carry at least 15 watts power during irradiation treatment.