Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-25
2004-01-13
Layno, Carl (Department: 3762)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
C128S898000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06676686
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method for treating disease and alleviating pain associated with the lymphatic system in a living mammalian body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a noninvasive method for detecting and activating the lymphatic system wherein the method involves the generation of a pulsation detectable at the closest exterior body surface to an activated lymphatic area.
BACKGROUND
The lymphatic system is a subsidiary of the circulatory system that offers a route for the return of tissue fluid to the bloodstream. The system includes lymph capillaries that begin in tissue to collect tissue fluid, i.e., lymph. The capillaries eventually lead into lymphatic vessels which empty lymph into large veins above the heart. Along the pathway of the lymphatic vessels are specialized structures called lymph nodes. The lymph nodes serve two important purposes—as a filter to prevent the spread of infection and as a source of lymphocytes. In contrast to the cardiovascular system which forms a complete circuit, the lymphatic system is a one-way system.
Lymphatic capillaries are simple endothelial tubes that form a complex network in tissues. Beginning blindly, the capillaries may vary greatly in size ranging from a diameter of about a few microns to about a millimeter. Ordinarily, these capillaries do not contain valves. The network of capillaries is most dense in surface layers of the body, such as in the dermis of the skin and the mucosal layers of the digestive and respiratory system. Muscles and bones, for example, exhibit a lower density of lymphatic capillaries while no lymphatic capillaries are found in the central nervous system, meninges, epidermis, and eyeball. A special category of lymphatic capillaries extends as blind ends into the intestinal villi and are known as lacteals. Lacteals are connected to the thymus. During fat absorption from the intestine, the lymph within lacteals becomes milky in appearance and is called chyle.
The lymphatic capillaries convey lymph to larger lymph vessels (lymphatics) which resemble veins in structure but have thinner walls and more valves. The lymphatics also contain a large number of lymph nodes, usually about 600, at various intervals throughout the body. They are disposed in loose connective tissue between organs, the subcutaneous and subserous tissues, and in the submucosa of the digestive, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. Shallow lymphatics of the skin generally follow veins, while deeper lymphatics generally follow arteries. The lymphatics serve to deliver lymph throughout the body and return proteins to the cardiovascular system when they leak out of blood capillaries. Lymphatics also transport fats from the gastrointestinal tract to the blood. Lymph flow is effected by the milking action of the muscle tissues of the body on the adjacent or contained lymphatic capillaries and vessels. Valves insure that lymph is conveyed in the correct direction.
Lymphatic nodes are typically bean-shaped collections of lymphatic tissue interposed in the course of lymphatic vessels. The tissue of the node is enclosed in a strong fibroelastic capsule. Trabeculae originate from the capsule and into the node to divide the node into several compartments. A network of reticular fibers with reticulo-endothelial cells extends from the trabeculae to all parts of the node. The cortex, i.e., the outer part of the node, contains closely packed masses of lymphocytes and lymph follicles. Several afferent lymphatic vessels enter the node on its convex surface and release lymph into the sinuses of the node. As the lymph slowly moves through the node, reticulo-endothelial cells filter out foreign particles such as bacteria via phagocytosis. As a result, foreign particles are prevented from entering the bloodstream. In addition, lymphocytes produced in the germinal centers of the lymph follicles are introduced into the lymph stream. Efferent lymphatic vessels at the node's hilum located on the nodes' concave surface allow lymph to leave the node to continue toward the venous system. Valves disposed in the afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels insure proper lymph flow direction. Blood vessels interface with the node at the hilum.
In sum, lymph nodes provide a key component for the proper immunological function of mammals. In humans, lymph nodes can be found in a high concentration in the face and neck, the arm pits, the thoracic cavity, the intestines and groin, the elbows, and the knees. Many different types of lymphocytes are produced by these nodes in the human body. Some lymphocytes (T cells) destroy infectious agents directly or indirectly by releasing various substances. Other lymphocytes (B cells) differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies against foreign substances to help eliminate them. The spleen, thymus and tonsils are the lymphatic organs which produce B-cells, T-cells, and lymphocytes, respectively, and, with antibodies, complete the lymphatic system immunologic defenses. Importantly for cancer patients, lymphatic tissue functions in surveillance and defense against foreign cells, microbes, and cancer cells and other pathogens, as is discussed infra.
A compromised lymphatic system is associated with disease and pain as many lymph nodes and other components of the lymphatic system are located at or near nerve endings. Lymphedema, for example, is a disorder of the lymphatic system wherein excess lymph is accumulated. Such undesirable accumulation causes swelling in different part throughout the entire body including, but not limited to, the arm(s) and/or leg(s). Generally, lymphedema can develop when lymph vessels are missing or impaired, when lymph vessels are damaged, or when lymph nodes are removed. In essence, lymphedema results when the amount of lymph exceeds local lymphatic transport capacity and an abnormal amount of protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the effected area. It is important to emphasize that if left untreated, this stagnant protein-rich fluid causes tissue channels to increase in size and number, reduces oxygen availability in the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a medium in which bacteria can incubate and proliferate, resulting in lymphangitis. The reduction of oxygen will cause lymph nodes to restrict the flow resulting from lymphatic drainage. Moreover, such swelling may cause or aggravate hernias.
In addition, cancer is often associated with lymphedema. Many cancer patients undergo surgery or radiation therapy to eliminate the cancerous growth. Surgery may remove lymph nodes, particularly if cancerous cells are identified in the lymph nodes, and lymphedema may occur as a result. In addition, radiation therapy will lead to an edema of irradiated soft tissues and lymphedema of any irradiated lymphatic tissue. Lymphedema is generally the more serious of these two side effects, because of the importance of the patient's lymphatic system to continued immune function and general health. However, repetition of radiation therapy can both further and prolong lymphedema, frequently making it a progressively more severe side effect. In addition, chemotherapy following surgery may also worsen lymphedema if administered to an already affected area.
Symptomatically, edema and lymphedema may be particularly pronounced in the upper torso due to radiation treatment of cancers of the head and neck, lungs, breast and the lymphatic system. Strong and frequent upper body radiation may cause fibrosis of the jaw and neck with excessive fibroblast deposition, thus virtually immobilizing patients and requiring such patients to be fed with a straw. Fibrosis of the upper arm may also occur with continuing radiation treatment thereby limiting the range of motion for the affected limb(s). In addition, new tumors may emerge in the edematous limbs and other portions of the lymphatic system because tumor cells, given the reduced lymph flows, lymphocyte production and ion exchange in these radiation-induced immunologically compromised edematous bod
Layno Carl
Reed & Eberle LLP
Wu Louis L.
LandOfFree
Noninvasive detection and activation of the lymphatic system... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Noninvasive detection and activation of the lymphatic system..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Noninvasive detection and activation of the lymphatic system... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3235062