Optical apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque
First Claim
1. A method for photodynamically treating a tissue region of a patient, the method comprising:
- a) providing an elongate tubular catheter at about said tissue region, wherein said catheter comprises at least one optic fiber having at least one optical grating along an axis of said fiber, wherein the fiber further comprises a light transmission zone intimately contacting said tissue region configured for photodynamic therapy, wherein said optical grating is coated with a material having a thermal coefficient that is greater than a thermal coefficient of the fiber;
b) administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one photosensitizer composition, wherein the photosensitizer composition is at least partially localized to the tissue region;
c) light activating the localized photosensitizer composition to produce a phototoxic species, wherein the activating light is transmitted from the at least one optic fiber; and
d) treating the tissue region photodynamically.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical apparatus and methods for monitoring temperature enabling detection and treatment of a vulnerable plaque of a patient comprising an elongate catheter, a plurality of outer optical fibers deployably disposed within the lumen of the catheter and suitably expandable in an outwardly radial manner configured for forming a basket shape, the outer fibers having at least one optical grating along an axis of the fiber wherein the at least one optical grating reflects a certain wavelength or intensity of the light beam, the certain wavelength or intensity of the reflected light beam being correlated to known temperature, and a longitudinal middle optical fiber emitting a light energy suitable for photodynamic therapy.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for photodynamically treating a tissue region of a patient, the method comprising:
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a) providing an elongate tubular catheter at about said tissue region, wherein said catheter comprises at least one optic fiber having at least one optical grating along an axis of said fiber, wherein the fiber further comprises a light transmission zone intimately contacting said tissue region configured for photodynamic therapy, wherein said optical grating is coated with a material having a thermal coefficient that is greater than a thermal coefficient of the fiber; b) administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one photosensitizer composition, wherein the photosensitizer composition is at least partially localized to the tissue region; c) light activating the localized photosensitizer composition to produce a phototoxic species, wherein the activating light is transmitted from the at least one optic fiber; and d) treating the tissue region photodynamically. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification