Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: administering an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent into a mammal such that the agent accumulates in atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells at a specific location and atherosclerotic plaque adjacent said cells; readministering said agent to prevent photosensitizing agent from being substantially cleared from said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells for a period of at least about 5 days; and exposing the photosensitizing agent within said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque to light such that said cells and plaque are lysed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: administering an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent into a mammal such that the agent accumulates in atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells at a specific location and atherosclerotic plaque adjacent said cells; readministering said agent to prevent photosensitizing agent from being substantially cleared from said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells for a period of at least about 5 days; and exposing the photosensitizing agent within said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque to light such that said cells and plaque are lysed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said photosensitizing agent is Tin Ethyl Etiopurpurin.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: detecting atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque in a mammal; administering an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent into the mammal such that the agent accumulates in the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque; widening the lumen of the vessel that has narrowed due to the accumulation of the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque; and readministering said agent to prevent photosensitizing agent from being substantially cleared from the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells for a period of at least about five days to essentially prevent growth factor released in the vicinity of said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells from initiating atherosclerotic smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: detecting atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque in a mammal; administering an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent into the mammal such that the agent accumulates in the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque; widening the lumen of the vessel that has narrowed due to the accumulation of the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque; and readministering said agent to prevent photosensitizing agent from being substantially cleared from the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells for a period of at least about five days to essentially prevent growth factor released in the vicinity of said atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells from initiating atherosclerotic smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: widening the lumen of a vessel that has narrowed due to accumulation of atheromatous plaque; and blocking the growth factor binding sites on the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells injured during the widening step until growth factor is no longer released from the platelets in the vicinity of the injured cells.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for treatment of atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: widening the lumen of a vessel that has narrowed due to accumulation of atheromatous plaque; and blocking the growth factor binding sites on the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells injured during the widening step until growth factor is no longer released from the platelets in the vicinity of the injured cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the blocking step is performed continuously for a period of at least about 5 days.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the blocking step is commenced immediately after the widening step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the blocking step is continuous and commenced immediately after the widening step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the blocking step is accomplished by introducing an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent in the region of the vessel subject to the widening step such that the agent accumulates in the injured smooth muscle cells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the photosensitizing agent is administered such that photosensitizing agent accumulates in the atheromatous plaque.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of exposing the photosensitizing agent within the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells and plaque to light such that said cells and plaque are lysed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the photosensitizing agent is a Tin Ethyl Etiopurpurin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of exposing the photosensitizing agent within the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells to light such that the atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells are lysed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the exposing step is commenced after growth factor is no longer released from the platelets in the vicinity of the injured cells.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the exposing step is commenced within a range of about 5-16 days after the widening step.