Method and device for applying hyperthermia to enhance drug perfusion and efficacy of subsequent light therapy
US5814008A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/0652
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for applying beat to a treatment site prior to effecting photodynamic therapy. The perfusion of a drug into abnormal tissue in a tumor (12) is enhanced by heating the treatment site at which the tumor is disposed using a heat source (26) mounted on a fixture (20, 34) separate from a light source (28) on a probe used to effect the photodynamic therapy. Alternatively, the heat source and light source may comprise different types of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array on a probe (14) disposed at the treatment site. Also mounted on the fixture is a temperature sensor (30), which produces a signal indicative of the temperature at the treatment site. In response to this signal, a controller (24/36) controls the heat source to prevent vascular damage. In addition to enhancing the perfusion of a photoreactive agent into the treatment site, heating the tissue at the site prior to initiating the PDT greatly enhances the efficacy of this treatment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.