Patent · US Expired

Patient portable device for photodynamic therapy

US6454789B1 · kind B1 · utility

70Cited by
64References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 15, 1999
Grant dateSep 24, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/0645
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A patient portable photodynamic therapy device securable to a patient includes a lightweight rechargeable battery and a cold cathode fluorescent (CCF) tube powered thereby. The CCF tube is coupled in light channeling relation to a proximal portion of a biocompatible optical fiber, which includes a distal portion with an optional diffuser that uniformly distributes light as it exits the distal portion. The distal end of the optical fiber is optionally provided with an anchoring balloon that can be inflated after the optical fiber is properly positioned at a treatment site within a patient's body. The balloon securely lodges the distal portion within the tissue at the treatment site, and is deflated to facilitate the removal of the optical fiber once the treatment is complete.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.