Atherosclerosis treatment method

Abstract

A treatment of atherosclerosis by the application of external electromagnetic energy capable of the generation of heat and biophysical alterations in intracellular particles and particles within atherosclerotic plaques to induce resolution of the atherosclerotic plaques. This process allows for the selective treatment of the atherosclerotic plaque without damaging the normal blood vessel by the compartmentalized alteration of biophysical properties within the atherosclerotic lesion. The process comprises introducing minute particles into the interior of atherosclerotic plaques and the cells involved in the lesion. These particles being injected intravenously while suspended in an appropriate solution are of a size generally having a diameter of approximately 1 micron or less and one of a material with properties such as ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic so as to be inductively heated when subjected to a high frequency alternating electromagnetic field. Introducing the particles as described the patient is thereafter subjected to an alternating electromagnetic field to inductively heat the particles sufficiently to raise the temperature of the atherosclerotic lesion and destroy the atherosclerotic lesion without harming the normal artery or intima.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.