Device, systems and methods for localized heating of a vessel and/or in combination with MR/NMR imaging of the vessel and surrounding tissue
US7422568B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2218/002
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Featured are devices, systems and methods for localized heating of a vessel as well as devices, systems and methods for MR/NMR imaging of a vessel while locally heating a portion of the vessel. More particularly featured are such devices, systems and methods for use when administering or delivering therapeutic agents including genes and/or drugs to the tissues of the vessel. Such a method includes positioning a thermal energy delivery device proximal a target site with the vessel of a body and activating the thermal energy delivery device so as to heat the target site thereby locally increasing a temperature of tissue at the target site. In further embodiments, the method includes introducing a therapeutic medium to the target site over a predetermined time period, and wherein said activating occurs at least one of before, during or after said step of introducing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.