Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-03-13
Jastrzab, Jeffrey R. (Department: 3737)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
C607S072000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201991
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to a method of preventing and treating atherosclerosis, particularly to use of electrical stimulation to prevent or decrease atherosclerotic plaque formation in blood vessels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease characterized by the presence of plaque formed from the accumulation of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, fibrin and other cellular materials along the inner wall of the aorta and large and mediun-sized arteries. Plaque may totally or partially block blood flow through a blood vessel leading to a heart attack or stroke. Plaque can also weaken the arterial wall, resulting in an aneurysm. Coronary artery disease, which is usually due to atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of death in the world. Atherosclerosis is also a primary cause of stroke, another leading killer, and of peripheral vascular disease resulting in significant disability and limb loss.
Conventional therapies for treating the complications of atherosclerosis include providing an open bypass graft to other arteries by coronary or peripheral arterial bypass surgery, and dilating narrowed arteries by techniques such as balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, coronary atherectomy, and carotid endarterectomy. However, patients with severe diffuise disease in multiple vessels are not good candidates for surgery or dilating procedures. In addition, intracoronary procedures can stimulate a proliferation of endothelial cells at the treatment site, which leads to a reblockage of the artery. With laser techniques, intramyocardial channels can be created that will supply blood to the ischemic muscle and stimulate capillary in-growth and angiogenesis in the myocardium, however, there are accompanying risks of damage to the surrounding tissue. The long-term results of this procedure have been controversial. Furthermore, conventional therapies do not treat atherosclerosis directly to avoid its fatal complications.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an alternative method of preventing and treating atherosclerosis in a human patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which provides a method of preventing, limiting and/or decreasing atherosclerotic plaque in blood vessels by creating an electrical field and/or applying low-frequency electrical stimulation to muscle tissue that is adjacent to or surrounds the vessel of interest.
The method provides a useful tool for disease prevention and treatment. The clinical applications of the present method assists persons at risk or suffering from ischemic heart disease, aortic atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and other similar disorders.
Advantageously, the present method can be used regardless of the percent blockage of the vessel or number of vessels affected, and does not traumatize the inner wall of the vessel. The method is also useful for preventing atherosclerosis development and for limiting and/or decreasing the progression of atherosclerosis in a patient with beginning or moderate atheroschlerosis.
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Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Heart Care Associates, LLC
Jastrzab Jeffrey R.
Kees Nicholas A.
LandOfFree
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