Method and apparatus for heating inflammed tissue
US6451044B1 · kind B1 · utility
146Cited by
18References
29Claims
0Family size
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0088
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for treating inflammation in body tissues. More specifically, certain disclosed methods relate to selectively inducing apoptosis in inflammatory immune cells by heating cells for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to induce programmed cell death. The disclosed stents can be placed in contact with the inflammatory cells and heated under controlled conditions. The disclosed apparatus and methods are particularly suitable for treating athersclerotic plaques.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.