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Optical apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque

  • US 7,297,154 B2
  • Filed: 11/12/2004
  • Issued: 11/20/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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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