Claims
- 1. A method for modifying tissue modulus of elasticity, comprising:(a) maintaining the temperature of a tissue below the temperature range required for denaturization of collagen within the tissue, (b) providing UV photons at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range, and (c) irradiating the tissue with said UV photons at a predetermined intensity for a predetermined length of time.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the tissue is increased.
- 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing at least one of the following steps:(a) maintaining the pH of the tissue within a predetermined range, and (b) adding at least one pharmaceutically acceptable free radical producing compound.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises testing the tissues prior to the method.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed in the order of step (b), then step (c), and then step (a).
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is above the temperature required for denaturization of collagen within the tissue.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the temperature is from about 55 degrees C. to about 65 degrees C.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is from about 37 degrees C. to about 39 degrees C.
- 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the UV photons are delivered to the tissue through a fiber optic cable.
- 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of joint capsule, tendon, ligament, fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, bone, skin and muscle.
- 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wavelength range is 250 nm-420 nm.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wavelength range is 320 nm-390 nm.
- 13. An apparatus for modifying mechanical properties of tissue, the apparatus comprising:(a) means for generating UV photons at a selected wavelength and intensity; (b) means for irradiating the tissue with said UV photons; (c) means for controlling the temperature of the tissue below the temperature range required for denaturization of collagen within the tissue; and (d) means for controlling at least one of said wavelength and intensity.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising means for measuring the physical characteristics of the tissue.
- 15. A method for modifying tissue length, comprising:irradiating collagenous tissue with UV photons; said method performed using an apparatus, comprising: (a) means for generating UV photons at a selected wavelength and intensity; (b) means for irradiating the tissue with said UV photons; (c) means for controlling the temperature of the tissue below the temperature range required for denaturization of collagen within the tissue; and (d) means for controlling at least one of said wavelength and intensity.
Parent Case Info
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/296,594 entitled “Application of UV to collagen for altering length and properties of tissue,” filed on Jun. 7, 2001.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4729372 |
L'Esperance, Jr. |
Mar 1988 |
A |
5683366 |
Eggers et al. |
Nov 1997 |
A |
6406474 |
Neuberger et al. |
Jun 2002 |
B1 |
6447503 |
Wynne et al. |
Sep 2002 |
B1 |
6511475 |
Altshuler et al. |
Jan 2003 |
B1 |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Arnoczky, Steven P. and Aksan, Alptekin Thermal Modification of Connective Tissues: Basic Science Considerations and Clinical Implications, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/296594 |
Jun 2001 |
US |