Method and apparatus for treating vulnerable plaque
US7326238B1 · kind B1 · utility
26Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0086
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a medical device to treat an occlusive plaque, and is also adapted to release a biologically active agent to treat vulnerable plaque located downstream from the occlusive plaque. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus has an expandable tube attached to the inner surface of a stent, and a layer of endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the expandable tube. The expandable tube shields a vulnerable plaque from a body lumen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.