Light-based method for the endovascular treatment of pathologically altered blood vessels

• US 9,168,098 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dornier MedTech Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: Dornier MedTech Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Beck, Tobias, Meier, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US13/914,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20130289547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 606 2- 19, 607 88- 94
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/20361 with redirecting based on sensed condition, e.g. tissue analysis or tissue movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation

Abstract

A light-based method of endovascular treatment, in particular, of pathologically altered blood vessels. Provided are a Method of Endovascular Light Treatment and a corresponding Endovascular Light Application Device.

Claims

1. A method of applying light energy from a light emitting unit to a blood vessel, from within the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing into the vessel a device comprising a light applicator and a catheter via which the light applicator is inserted into and guided within a blood vessel, wherein the catheter is closed at a distal portion of the catheter, wherein the catheter and the light applicator are arranged and adapted such that in use at any time the light applicator does not make intraluminal contact with any vessel wall and the light applicator is capable of delivering light energy through the sheath of the catheter; and

applying energy to the vessel until the vessel is damaged and the vessel shrinks or collapses after removal of the catheter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel is damaged until the vessel is closed and no blood can flow through at the damaged position.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing the light applicator repeatedly at the same position within the catheter and thereby within the vessel while continuing to apply energy to the vessel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of moving the light applicator in the catheter and thereby in the vessel while continuing to apply energy to the vessel.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of imaging the vessel to be treated;

and/or controlling the velocity with which the light applicator is moved within the catheter; and

determining the temperature or the coagulation at the position where the vessel is damaged.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light power applied per cm² at the surface of the light applicator is in the range of 1 to 200 W/cm².

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light power applied per cm² at the surface of the light applicator is in the range of 5 to 35 W/cm².