Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for treating vulnerable plaque

US8652194B1 · kind B1 · utility

0Cited by
60References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 23, 2006
Grant dateFeb 18, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2029

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.