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US6125295A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Pharmaceutically enhanced low-energy radiosurgery

Assignee: Sirius Medicine LLC
•
Filing: 1998-08-27
•
Granted: 2000-09-26
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Expires: 2018-08-27
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Abstract

Abstract Contrast agents developed specifically for x-ray diagnostics provide dose-enhanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The presence of heavy elements from these contrast agents, even small quantities, leads to a major dose increase in target tissue. When combined with in vivo calibration of the amount of contrast agent, the procedure is quick, accurate, and safe. The technique can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as focused x-rays, to achieve further enhancement of therapeutic ratio. Through optimization of the equipment it is possible to achieve very large ratios of dose in target to dose in healthy tissue up to 10:1.

Inventors

  • 👤 Webster C. Cash, Jr.
  • 👤 Michael D. Weil

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 14:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61K; A61K41/00; A61K41/0085; A61K49/00; A61K49/001; A61K49/006; A61K49/04; A61K49/0433; A61K49/0447; A61K49/0461; A61N2005/1085; A61N2005/1091; A61N2005/1092; A61N2005/1098

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays comprising the steps of: (a) delivering an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is delivered into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays, said method resulting in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays comprising the steps of: (a) delivering an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is delivered into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays, said method resulting in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of delivering said contrast agent is performed by intravenous injection of said contrast agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of delivering said contrast agent is performed by injecting said contrast agent directly into said tumor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of delivering said contrast agent injects said contrast agent into a surface portion of said tumor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of delivering said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of calibrating the amount of said contrast agent to determine x-ray dose enhancement is performed with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said tumor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 79 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of calibrating the amount of said contrast agent to determine x-ray dose enhancement is performed with a computed tomography scanner and further comprises the steps of: (a) scanning said tumor with said computed tomography scanner: (b) determining a Hounsfield number H in said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; (c) using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H, where de equals dose enhancement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said focused x-rays have an energy of about 30 keV to about 150 keV.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said focused x-rays have an energy of about 40 keV to about 80 keV.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 145 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 145 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent injects said contrast agent into a surface portion of said tumor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 166 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 166 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of injecting said contrast agent injects said contrast agent into a surface portion of said tumor.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 165 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a surface portion of a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said surface portion of said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said surface portion of said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said surface portion of said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said surface portion of said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 165 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a surface portion of a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said surface portion of said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said surface portion of said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said surface portion of said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said surface portion of said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a surface portion of a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said surface portion of said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said surface portion of said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said surface portion of said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said surface portion of said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said surface portion of said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a surface portion of a tumor; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said surface portion of said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said surface portion of said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said surface portion of said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said surface portion of said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said surface portion of said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 157 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor, wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 157 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor, wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement with the equation de=1+1.3 p, where de means dose enhancement and p is the percentage of said contrast agent by weight in said tumor; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 178 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor, wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 40
Independent Claim 178 words
A method for treating tumors by radiosurgery with focused x-rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting an amount of a contrast agent into a tumor, wherein said step of injecting said contrast agent is directed by ultrasonography; (b) calibrating the amount of said contrast agent within said tumor to determine x-ray dose enhancement by the steps of: scanning said tumor injected with said contrast agent with a computed tomography scanner; determining a Hounsfield number H in said tumor with said computed tomography scanner; using said Hounsfield number H to calculate the dose enhancement with the equation de=1+0.0025 H; (c) repeating steps a and b until a desired amount of said contrast agent is injected into said tumor to provide a desired amount of x-ray dose enhancement; (d) irradiating said tumor containing said desired amount of said contrast agent with focused x-rays having an energy of between about 40 keV and about 80 keV, wherein said desired amount of said contrast agent results in an x-ray dose enhancement in said tumor of about 2:1 to about 10:1.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, gadolinium, and gold.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said contrast agent is iodine.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4598415A Cited
US5008907A Cited
US5604782A Cited
US5919135A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-09-26 2004-03-27 2004-09-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-09-26 2008-03-27 2008-09-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-09-26 2012-03-27 2012-09-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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