Devices, systems, and methods for inducing dermal blood vessel leakage
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation dba Massachusetts General Hospital
InventorMei X. Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for diagnosis and treatment via laser-treated skin and, more particularly, to devices, systems, and methods for inducing leakage or rupture of one or more blood vessels comprising the dermis for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Other aspects of the present disclosure can include methods for detecting one or more target analytes in a dermis of a subject, methods for facilitating skin-to-blood delivery of agent in a subject, and methods for collecting a fluid sample from the dermis of a subject.
Claims28
A device comprising:
- at least one penetration member having a body defined by oppositely disposed proximal and distal ends, the body having a length such that at least a portion of the distal end extends into a dermis of the skin of a subject when the device is contacted with the subject's skin;
- and
- a laser source coupled to the at least one penetration member so that, upon activation, the laser source delivers a laser beam into the dermis for a time sufficient to induce leakage or rupture of at least one blood vessel comprising the dermis.
8-12. (canceled)
A method for inducing leakage or rupture of a blood vessel comprising the dermis of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting a device with the skin of a subject so that at least a distal end of one or more penetrating members comprising the device directly contacts the dermis;
- and
- activating a laser source coupled to the device to deliver a laser beam to the dermis for a time sufficient to induce leakage or rupture of at least one blood vessel comprising the dermis.
A method for detecting a target analyte in a dermis or epidermis of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting a device with the skin of a subject so that at least a distal end of one or more penetrating members comprising the device directly contacts the dermis, at least a portion of the distal end that contacts the dermis being coated with one or more detection reagents;
- activating a laser source coupled to the device to deliver a laser beam to the dermis for a time sufficient to induce leakage or rupture of at least one blood vessel comprising the dermis;
- and
- detecting the target analyte, if present, in a fluid leaked from the blood vessel.
24-28. (canceled)
A method for facilitating skin-to-blood delivery of an agent in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting a device with a target skin area of a subject so that at least a distal end of one or more penetrating members comprising the device directly contacts the dermis;
- activating a laser source coupled to the device to deliver a laser beam to the dermis for a time sufficient to induce leakage or rupture of at least one blood vessel comprising the dermis;
- and
- administering the agent to the target skin area.
(canceled)
A method for collecting a fluid sample from the dermis of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting a device with the skin of a subject so that at least a distal end of one or more penetrating members comprising the device directly contacts the dermis;
- activating a laser source coupled to the device to deliver a laser beam to the dermis for a time sufficient to induce leakage or rupture of at least one blood vessel comprising the dermis;
- and
- collecting a volume of a fluid leaked from the at least one blood vessel.
36-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.