Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: an aspiration device having a plurality of aspiration tubes connected to a manifold means, each of said tubes having a plurality of aspiration holes; means for connecting the manifold means to a suction source for creating suction inside the aspiration tubes, having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce the interstitial fluid pressure inside the tumor when the tubes are located in the tumor; and a measurement probe mounted to one of the plurality of aspiration tubes for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein an aperture of the measurement probe is spaced apart from the aspiration tube to which it is mounted at a sufficient distance so that a pressure measured by the measurement probe is not substantially affected by the suction present at the plurality of aspiration holes of the plurality of aspiration tubes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: an aspiration device having a plurality of aspiration tubes connected to a manifold means, each of said tubes having a plurality of aspiration holes; means for connecting the manifold means to a suction source for creating suction inside the aspiration tubes, having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce the interstitial fluid pressure inside the tumor when the tubes are located in the tumor; and a measurement probe mounted to one of the plurality of aspiration tubes for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein an aperture of the measurement probe is spaced apart from the aspiration tube to which it is mounted at a sufficient distance so that a pressure measured by the measurement probe is not substantially affected by the suction present at the plurality of aspiration holes of the plurality of aspiration tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: control means connected to said measurement probe; and a suction source operatively connected to said control means being responsive to a signal sent therefrom, said suction source being adapted to regulate the suction created in dependence on the signal sent from the control means, said signal being indicative of the pressure measured by the measurement probe, wherein the suction has a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure, to thereby reduce the interstitial fluid pressure within the tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; and applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein the step of placing an aspiration device comprises locating within the tumor an aspiration device of diameter not greater than that of an 18 gauge needle having a plurality of aspiration holes, and wherein the pressure value of the suction applied in the step of applying suction is greater than -100 mmHg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; and applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein the step of placing an aspiration device comprises locating within the tumor an aspiration device of diameter not greater than that of an 18 gauge needle having a plurality of aspiration holes, and wherein the pressure value of the suction applied in the step of applying suction is greater than -100 mmHg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process according to claim 3, wherein the step of placing an aspiration device comprises locating an aspiration device having a plurality of aspiration tubes for locating in the tumor, each tube having at least one aspiration hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 4, wherein each tube has a plurality of aspiration holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 3, used in conjunction with chemotherapy to enhance treatment of inoperable tumors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3, used in conjunction with radiation therapy to enhance treatment of inoperable tumors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor; measuring the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor; and regulating suction applied to the aspiration device in dependence on the measured interstitial pressure wherein the suction has a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but has a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor; measuring the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor; and regulating suction applied to the aspiration device in dependence on the measured interstitial pressure wherein the suction has a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but has a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce the interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; and applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein the aspiration device has means for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure, and wherein through control means connected to the means for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure and suction source, the suction created may be regulated in dependence on the measured interstitial fluid pressure so that the suction is maintained at a pressure value below the interstitial fluid pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for reducing interstitial fluid pressure in a tumor comprising: placing an aspiration device within the tumor; and applying, to the aspiration device, suction having a pressure value less than the interstitial fluid pressure but having a pressure value which will not result in removing or damaging the tumor, to thereby reduce interstitial fluid pressure within the tumor, wherein the aspiration device has means for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure, and wherein through control means connected to the means for measuring the interstitial fluid pressure and suction source, the suction created may be regulated in dependence on the measured interstitial fluid pressure so that the suction is maintained at a pressure value below the interstitial fluid pressure.