A method for inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation in an injured blood vessel includes the steps of administering a photoactivatable psoralen to a patient in an amount to achieve local arterial tissue levels of psoralen suitable for light-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth, and delivering radiation in the visible wavelength range to the injured region of the blood vessel at a level sufficient for photoactivation of the psoralen. The psoralen is preferably 8-methoxypsoralen and can be delivered systemically or locally. The method of the invention can be used for preventing restenosis in a blood vessel following transluminal angioplasty. Both the psoralen and the visible light can be delivered with a laser balloon catheter having a porous balloon. The method of the invention may also be used for inhibiting proliferation of other undesired cell types in a patient's body.
A method in which photodynamic therapy is employed to inhibit, stabilize or reduce occlusions within the cardiovascular system by utilizing light within the spectral region of approximately 390 to approximately 610 nm.
A method is disclosed for introducing a stent inside the body of a patient. The stent is made of a material that cures due to the action of light. A catheter having an inflatable balloon adjacent its distal end is provided. Also provided is a light conductor comprising a transparent, elongated member, the elongated member having a smooth, outer wall along most of its length with a portion of the light conductor within the balloon having a rougher outer wall to allow light to project laterally outwardly through the wall. The balloon carries on substantially its entire surface a partially reflective layer to permit the light to be partly reflected and partly transmitted through the same portions of the wall of the balloon. The stent is cured by providing light to the light conductor.
The present invention provides methods for inhibiting restenosis at a site of vascular recanalization. The methods include intravascular administration of a reactive acridine compound to the site of injury, without the requirement for activation or sustained release of the compound.
Psoralen compound compositions are synthesized which have primaryamino substitutions on the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-positions of the psoralen, which yet permit their binding to nucleic acid of pathogens. Reaction conditions that photoactivate these psoralens result in the inactivation of pathogens which contain nucleic acid. The compounds show similar activity in test systems to 4' and 5' derivatives of proralen useful for inactivation of pathogens in blood products. In addition to the psoralen compositions, the invention contemplates such inactivating methods using the new psoralens.
The present invention relates to a catheter or cannula system that facilitates cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries and enables prolonged circulatory support of the heart. More specifically, the present invention provides an aortic catheter system including a porous aortic root balloon capable of occluding the aorta, delivering cardioplegia and providing tactile feedback and helping to maintain the competency of regurgitant aortic valves.
