Implanting and fixing a flexible probe for administering a medical therapy at a treatment site within a patient'body
US5766234A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/0652
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatment site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) on which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524, 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522). Due to the characteristic elastic properties of the flexible substrate, the flexible probe can readily be bent, folded, or rolled while being disposed at the internal treatment site. Thus, for example, a curved surgical needle (650) can be used to implant a flexible probe at the treatment site by drawing the fle…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.