Devices for detection and therapy of atheromatous plaque
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
26 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification