Method and apparatus for treating vulnerable plaque
First Claim
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1. A method for stabilizing a vulnerable plaque in a lumen wall, comprising:
- detecting said vulnerable plaque having a lipid core surrounded by a fibrous cap;
advancing a needle catheter near said vulnerable plaque; and
delivering a vulnerable plaque stabilizing agent with said needle catheter to said fibrous cap without penetrating said lipid core.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for stabilizing a vulnerable plaque in a lumen wall, comprising:
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detecting said vulnerable plaque having a lipid core surrounded by a fibrous cap; advancing a needle catheter near said vulnerable plaque; and delivering a vulnerable plaque stabilizing agent with said needle catheter to said fibrous cap without penetrating said lipid core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for stabilizing a vulnerable plaque in a lumen wall, comprising:
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means for detecting the vulnerable plaque having a lipid core surrounded by a fibrous cap; means for advancing a needle catheter near the vulnerable plaque; and means for delivering a vulnerable plaque stabilizing agent with said needle catheter to the fibrous cap without penetrating said lipid core, wherein said vulnerable plaque stabilizing agent increases a thickness of the fibrous cap.
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Specification