Intracorporeal light treatment of blood
US5702432A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/0601
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for administering intracorporeal photopheresis to blood flowing in a patient's body to destroy an undesirable component in the blood, where the undesirable component has absorbed a photoreactive agent having a characteristic light absorption waveband. The apparatus includes an implantable housing that is adapted to be placed transcutaneously within a patient's body. An inlet and outlet for a fluid path through the housing are provided and are coupled to a patient's circulatory system so that they convey blood into and out of the housing. Light sources disposed within the housing(or externally disposed and coupled to the housing by optical fibers) emit light having a waveband substantially equal to the absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent. A portion of the fluid path within the housing is optically transparent so that blood is irradiated with light from the light source. The fluid path can have one of several different configurations, including serpentine, planar coil, helical coil, and cross tubes coupling inlet and outlet header manifolds. The light source can comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other types of light sources and may be coupled …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.