US6808518B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and devices for treating diseased blood vessels
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
•
Filing: 2001-09-28
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Granted: 2004-10-26
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Expires: 2021-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a mechanism by which the physical properties of diseased blood vessel walls can be manipulated to achieve an effective vessel lumen diameter for a prolonged period of time. The methods and devices of the present invention selectively isolate and treat the medial or adventitial layers of these diseased blood vessels. The invention is based on the delivery of proteolytic enzymes and crosslinking agents via specialized delivery devices to a select layer of the diseased blood vessel wall. By isolating and treating these layers of the artery, collagen degrading and collagen crosslinking agents can be delivered so as to affect the diameter of the blood vessels and control blood flow therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Parris S. Wellman
- 👤 Kevin S. Weadock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M37/00; A61M37/0015; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1011; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/105; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M2037/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: disrupting the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of digestive agent sufficient to degrade the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel diameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: disrupting the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of digestive agent sufficient to degrade the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the diseased region comprises an atherosclerotic plaque.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of isolating the diseased region from a remaining portion of the blood vessel prior to treating the blood vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of manipulating occurs either prior to or after an angioplasty procedure to expand the diameter of the blood vessel proximate the atherosclerotic plaque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive agent is directly delivered to an adventitial layer of the blood vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the digestive agent is a proteolytic enzyme.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the proteolytic enzyme is highly purified mammalian collagenase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment involves a drug delivery mechanism selected from the group consisting of a catheter, syringe, film, coating, gel, and sponge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the drug delivery mechanism is topically applied to the diseased region of the blood vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step of manipulating causes an increase in the vessel diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of delivering includes injecting a quantity of the crosslinking agent directly into a medial layer of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region sufficient to promote crosslinking of the collagen at the diseased region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group comprising glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, carbodiimides, and diisocyanates.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: disrupting the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of digestive agent sufficient to degrade the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel wall stiffness.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: disrupting the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of digestive agent sufficient to degrade the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel wall stiffness.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: modifying the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of crosslinking agent sufficient to promote crosslinking of the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel diameter.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: modifying the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of crosslinking agent sufficient to promote crosslinking of the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel diameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the diseased region comprises an aneurysm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of isolating the diseased region from a remaining portion of the blood vessel prior to treating the blood vessel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the treatment involves a drug delivery mechanism selected from the group consisting of a catheter, syringe, film, coating, gel, and sponge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the drug delivery mechanism is topically applied to the diseased region of the blood vessel.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: modifying the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of crosslinking agent sufficient to promote crosslinking of the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel wall stiffness.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for treating a blood vessel having a diseased region along a vessel wall thereof, the treatment comprising the step of manipulating physical properties of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region, wherein the step of manipulating includes: modifying the integrity of at least one layer of the blood vessel wall to affect vessel wall stiffness at the diseased region by directly delivering to a select layer of the blood vessel wall a quantity of crosslinking agent sufficient to promote crosslinking of the collagen of the blood vessel wall at the diseased region so as to achieve a desired vessel wall stiffness.
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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) | 2007-10-26 | 2008-04-26 | 2008-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-26 | 2012-04-26 | 2012-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-26 | 2016-04-26 | 2016-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |