US4891043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for selective release of liposome encapsulated material via laser radiation
Assignee: University of Illinois System
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Filing: 1987-05-28
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2007-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A system for selectively releasing materials, such as drugs or dyes, at a specific site in the body of an animal. The system uses laser radiation to rupture laser light-absorbing and heat-sensitive lipid vesicles containing the drugs or dyes, thereby releasing these materials at the specific site irradiated by the laser. By using this system, the location and concentration of the materials are controlled as well as the duration of the materials' release and the release can be triggered repetitively. The laser beam used is visible or its location can be made visible to the naked eye so that the location and size of the beam's contact with the irradiated tissue can be observed and adjusted.
Inventors
- 👤 Ran C. Zeimer
- 👤 Bahram Khoobehi
- 👤 Gholam A. Peyman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/001; A61K49/0013; A61K49/0017; A61K49/0019; A61K49/0021; A61K49/0041; A61K49/0043; A61K41/00; A61K41/0028; A61K49/0063; A61K49/0069; A61K49/0076; A61K49/0084; A61K9/00; A61K9/10; A61K9/127; A61M; A61M37/00; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0613; A61N5/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of selectively and repetitively releasing a material at a specific site in the blood stream inside the body of an animal, comprising the steps of encapsulating the material in heat-sensitive lipid vesicles, injecting the lipid vesicles into the blood stream of the animal so that the blood stream carries the lipid vesicles throughout the body including the specific site, generating a laser beam having a wavelength in the visible or infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and applying the laser beam to the lipid vesicles located at the specific site so as to heat and rupture the lipid vesicles so that the material therein is released within milliseconds therefrom at the specific site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of selectively and repetitively releasing a material at a specific site in the blood stream inside the body of an animal, comprising the steps of encapsulating the material in heat-sensitive lipid vesicles, injecting the lipid vesicles into the blood stream of the animal so that the blood stream carries the lipid vesicles throughout the body including the specific site, generating a laser beam having a wavelength in the visible or infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and applying the laser beam to the lipid vesicles located at the specific site so as to heat and rupture the lipid vesicles so that the material therein is released within milliseconds therefrom at the specific site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the material in the lipid vesicles comprises a dye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the material in the lipid vesicles comprises a drug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the specific site is in the retina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the specific site is in the eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is in the blue part of the spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, and further comprising the step of photographing the specific site.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the specific site is in the retina in an eye, and the applying step is preceded by the step of placing a contact lens on the cornea of the eye to enlarge the spot size of the laser beam inside the eye.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the material absorbs light at a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the laser beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises the steps of aiming the laser beam at the specific site, observing the location of the contract between the laser beam and the specific site, and adjusting the position of the contact relative to the specific site.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, and further comprising the steps of observing the size of the contact between the laser beam and the specific site, and adjusting the size of the contact.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |