Devices for detection and therapy of atheromatous plaque

• US 7,809,428 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IntraMedical Imaging, LLC, The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntraMedical Imaging, LLC, The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daghighian, Farhad, Elmaleh, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Long V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng; Jacqueline
• Application Number:
  US10/215,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,979 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600433-435, 600473-481, 600/431, 600/436, 601 1- 4, 623/1.11, 623/1.13, 623/1.12, 623 142- 146
• US Class Current: 600/436
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00079 Radioactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00904 Automatic detection of target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0057 Photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer, i.e. agent able to produce reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light or radiation, e.g. UV or visible light; photocleavage of nucleic acids with an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0061 5-aminolevulinic acid-based PDT: 5-ALA-PDT involving porphyrins or precursors of protoporphyrins generated in vivo from 5-ALA
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0071 PDT with porphyrins having exactly 20 ring atoms, i.e. based on the non-expanded tetrapyrrolic ring system, e.g. bacteriochlorin, chlorin-e6, or phthalocyanines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0076 PDT with expanded (metallo)porphyrins, i.e. having more than 20 ring atoms, e.g. texaphyrins, sapphyrins, hexaphyrins, pentaphyrins, porphocyanines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/643 Albumins, e.g. HSA, BSA, ovalbumin or a Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin [KHL]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/0474 complexes or complex-forming compounds, i.e. wherein a radioactive metal (e.g. 111In3+) is complexed or chelated by, e.g. a N2S2, N3S, NS3, N4 chelating group
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/0491 Sugars, nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, e.g. DNA, RNA, nucleic acid aptamers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0602 for treatment of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 : Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 : Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/00 : Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 : Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for detection of active atheromatous plaque and/or thin-capped fibro-atheroma (“vulnerable plaque”) using selectively targeted radiolabeled compositions, such as beta-emitting compositions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, comprising:

a probe operable to be inserted in the blood vessel, said probe including;

a detector operable to detect beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes a radiolabeled molecular carrier administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque; and

a delivery unit operable to deliver a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by reducing inflammatory components in the vulnerable plaque, wherein the delivery unit comprises an external unit and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit contains said therapeutic compound and is configured to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent each time said stent is retracted into said external unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery unit further includes an inflatable vessel, and the stent is moved towards a wall of the blood vessel by inflating said inflatable vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said inflatable vessel contains a transparent, non-toxic fluid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector is operable to detect gamma rays.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detector includes a first predetermined sensitivity to beta rays and a second predetermined sensitivity to gamma rays.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first predetermined sensitivity is equal to about 100 times the second predetermined sensitivity.

7. An apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, comprising:

means for detecting beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes a radiolabeled molecular carrier; and

means for delivering a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by reducing inflammatory components in the vulnerable plaque,

wherein the means for delivering the therapeutic compound includes an external unit containing the therapeutic compound and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit is configured to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent each time said stent is retracted into said external unit.

8. An apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, comprising:

a probe operable to be inserted in the blood vessel, said probe including;

a detector operable to detect beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes a radiolabeled molecular carrier administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque; and

a delivery unit operable to deliver a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by inducing cross-linking of proteins of the plaque, wherein the delivery unit comprises an external unit and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit is configured to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent each time said stent is retracted into said external unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the delivery unit further includes an inflatable vessel, and the stent is moved towards a wall of the blood vessel by inflating said inflatable vessel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said inflatable vessel contains a transparent, non-toxic fluid.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detector is operable to detect gamma rays.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detector includes a first predetermined sensitivity to beta rays and a second predetermined sensitivity to gamma rays.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first predetermined sensitivity is equal to about 100 times the second predetermined sensitivity.

14. An apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, comprising:

means for detecting beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes a radiolabeled molecular carrier; and

means for delivering a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by inducing cross-linking of proteins of the plaque,

wherein the means for delivering the therapeutic compound includes an external unit and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit contains the therapeutic compound and is operable to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent when said stent is retracted into said external unit.

15. A method for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, the method comprising:

introducing a probe into the blood vessel, said probe including;

a detector operable to detect beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes a radiolabeled molecular carrier administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque; and

a delivery unit operable to deliver a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by reducing inflammatory components in the vulnerable plaque, wherein the delivery unit comprises an external unit and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit contains said therapeutic compound and is configured to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent each time said stent is retracted into said external unit;

administering the composition;

detecting beta rays from the composition with the detector; and

extending and retracting the stent from and into the external unit to apply the therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the delivery unit further includes an inflatable vessel, and the stent is moved towards a wall of the blood vessel by inflating said inflatable vessel, and wherein the method further comprises inflating said inflatable vessel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said inflatable vessel contains a transparent, non-toxic fluid.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the detector is operable to detect gamma rays.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the detector includes a first predetermined sensitivity to beta rays and a second predetermined sensitivity to gamma rays.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first predetermined sensitivity is equal to about 100 times the second predetermined sensitivity.

21. A method for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque in a blood vessel, comprising:

introducing a probe operable into the blood vessel, said probe including;

a detector operable to detect beta rays from a composition, wherein the composition is administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque and includes

a radiolabeled molecular carrier administered and localized to the vulnerable plaque; and

a delivery unit operable to deliver a therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque, said therapeutic compound stabilizing the vulnerable plaque by inducing cross-linking of proteins of the plaque, wherein the delivery unit comprises an external unit and a stent that is retractable into and extendible out from the external unit, and wherein said external unit is configured to apply said therapeutic compound onto said stent each time said stent is retracted into said external unit;

administering the composition;

detecting beta rays from the composition with the detector; and

extending and retracting the stent from and into the external unit to apply the therapeutic compound to the vulnerable plaque.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the delivery unit further includes an inflatable vessel, and the stent is moved towards a wall of the blood vessel by inflating said inflatable vessel, and wherein the method further comprises inflating said inflatable vessel.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said inflatable vessel contains a transparent, non-toxic fluid.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the detector is operable to detect gamma rays.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the detector includes a first predetermined sensitivity to beta rays and a second predetermined sensitivity to gamma rays.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first predetermined sensitivity is equal to about 100 times the second predetermined sensitivity.