The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 29, 1997
James C Chen, Bellevue, WA (US);
Brent Wiscombe, Mesa, AZ (US);
Light Sciences Limited Partnership, Issaquah, WA (US);
Abstract
Flexible probes are arranged to achieve a desired light distribution pattern for administering light therapy at a treatment site in a patient's body. The flexible probes (20, 20', 92) each include a flexible substrate on which are mounted light emitting devices (30) in spaced-apart array. An optically transparent, biocompatible envelope (36) encloses the flexible substrate and components mounted thereon. In one embodiment, a link (44) couples a pair of the flexible probes together in parallel alignment for insertion at the treatment site. Thereafter, the probes are moved relative to each other within the link to achieve the desired light distribution pattern. In another embodiment, the flexible probes include flexible leaders (70, 72) attached to their distal ends, which terminate in suture tabs (74) that can be affixed to tissue adjacent the treatment site. The flexible probes are inserted into the treatment site generally aligned in a compact bundle and then are arrayed in a grid and spaced apart using links (82) to secure them at points where the flexible probes cross each other transversely. A further embodiment includes a strip (90) having a longitudinal slot (96), that opens into a channel (98) for receiving balls (94) formed on the distal ends of the flexible probes. The strip maintains the flexible probes in a spaced-apart array. Finally, another embodiment includes a flexible sheet (100) on which the flexible probes are mounted using sutures (108) or staples (102) after the sheet and flexible probes have been introduced to the treatment site.