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:
Oct. 17, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1999
Applicants:
S. Ward Casscells, Iii, Houston, TX (US);
James T. Willerson, Houston, TX (US);
Inventors:
S. Ward Casscells, III, Houston, TX (US);
James T. Willerson, Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 17/36 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for treating inflammation in body tissues. More specifically, certain disclosed methods relate to selectively inducing apoptosis in inflammatory immune cells. The methods are particularly suitable for treating inflamed atherosclerotic plaques. The techniques generally involve heating the cells with a catheter that is equipped to produce infrared radiation. The cells are heated for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to induce programmed cell death.