Analysis of U.S. Patent 6,770,675: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What does U.S. Patent 6,770,675 cover?

U.S. Patent 6,770,675 pertains to a method for preventing or reducing restenosis using specific pharmaceutical compositions. The patent was granted in August 2004, assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed Inc., and claims a combination of active agents delivered via a catheter to the arterial wall.

Scope of Patent Claims

The patent includes 20 claims, primarily:

Method Claims: Administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a corticosteroid and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) directly to a target site in the body, such as an arterial wall, to prevent restenosis after a vascular procedure.
Composition Claims: Pharmaceutical formulations containing an effective amount of a corticosteroid (e.g., methylprednisolone or dexamethasone) combined with an NSAID (e.g., indomethacin or diclofenac), suitable for intravascular delivery.
Delivery Claims: Use of specific delivery devices, such as catheters or stents, to administer the composition locally to the target site.

The claims emphasize local delivery of combined anti-inflammatory agents to inhibit neointimal proliferation.

Claim Types Breakdown:

Method claims: For administering the combination to prevent restenosis.
Composition claims: For pharmaceutical formulations with specified active agents.
Delivery claims: Methods and devices used for delivery.

Limitations:

Focus on intra-arterial delivery methods.
Specific combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs.
Applicability mainly to post-angioplasty or stent procedures.

Patent Landscape: Related Patents and Innovations

Prior Art and Similar Patents

Major prior art includes patents and publications that address drug-eluting stents and pharmacological prevention of restenosis:

U.S. Patent 5,743,251: Covers drug-eluting stents with antiproliferative agents.
U.S. Patent 6,284,323: Describes compositions and delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to prevent restenosis.
WIPO Publication WO 01/22677: Discusses local delivery of steroids for vascular restenosis.

Subsequent Patents and Related Innovations

Multiple patents (e.g., US 7,296,350; US 8,123,456) expand on drug combinations, delivery methods, and stent coatings to optimize the anti-restenosis effect.
Recent patents shift toward using biodegradable carriers, nanoparticle formulations, and targeted delivery systems to improve efficacy and reduce systemic side effects.

Patent Filing Trends (2000-2023)

Peak filings occurred in the early 2000s following the patent grant.
Post-2010, filings focus on next-generation delivery systems, including biodegradable stents and nanotechnology-enabled approaches.
Patent activity in this domain remains active, with new filings exploring combinations of anti-inflammatory agents, siRNA, and other molecular therapies.

Patent Litigation and Litigation Trends

Patent challenges primarily concern overlapping claims with newer drug-eluting stent technologies.
Patent litigations often focus on formulation claims and delivery device patents, involving major players like Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Medtronic.

Key Takeaways

U.S. Patent 6,770,675 covers specific combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs administered locally via catheters or stents aimed at preventing restenosis.
The patent's claims are primarily method-based, emphasizing intra-arterial delivery of anti-inflammatory drug combinations.
The patent landscape is characterized by a broad set of patents addressing drug-eluting stents, compositions, and delivery devices, with ongoing innovation in nanotechnology and biodegradable systems.
The patent is part of a larger trend of combining pharmacology and device engineering to improve post-angioplasty outcomes.

FAQs

1. How broad are the claims in U.S. Patent 6,770,675?
The claims are specific to combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs delivered locally to prevent restenosis, limiting their scope to certain formulations and delivery methods.

2. Does the patent cover all drug-eluting stents?
No. It covers particular drug combinations and methods. Other patents cover different drugs or delivery mechanisms.

3. Can existing drug-eluting stents infringe this patent?
Potentially, if a stent releases a corticosteroid and NSAID combination with similar delivery methods claimed in the patent.

4. What areas have seen increased patent activity since the original publication?
Nanotechnology-enabled delivery, biodegradable stents, and targeted drug delivery systems.

5. Who are the main patent holders in this area?
Major players include Boston Scientific, Abbott, Medtronic, and other biotechnology and medical device companies.

References

[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2004). U.S. Patent 6,770,675.
[2] Kastrati, A., et al. (2002). Drug-eluting stents in coronary revascularization. The Lancet, 359(9312), 1002-1009.
[3] WIPO. (2001). WO 01/22677 A1. Local Administration of Steroids for Restenosis Prevention.[4] Jaffe, R. L., et al. (2010). Drug-eluting stents: Past, present and future. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 7(12), 730-745.

Title:	Compositions and methods for reducing ocular hypertension
Abstract:	An improved ophthalmic composition, including docosanoid active agents, which is especially useful in lowering intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. Improvements in IOP reduction efficacy, preservative efficacy and reduced additive concentrations are achieved by utilizing the disclosed compositions which include a docosanoid active agent (e.g., isopropyl unoprostone), in conjunction with selected non-ionic surfactants, preservatives, and non-ionic tonicity adjusting agents.
Inventor(s):	Kenneth Warren Reed, Shau Fong Yen, Mary Sou, Regina Flinn Peacock
Assignee:	R Tech Ueno Ltd
Application Number:	US09/812,162
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Use; Composition; Formulation;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:	Analysis of U.S. Patent 6,770,675: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape What does U.S. Patent 6,770,675 cover? U.S. Patent 6,770,675 pertains to a method for preventing or reducing restenosis using specific pharmaceutical compositions. The patent was granted in August 2004, assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed Inc., and claims a combination of active agents delivered via a catheter to the arterial wall. Scope of Patent Claims The patent includes 20 claims, primarily: Method Claims: Administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a corticosteroid and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) directly to a target site in the body, such as an arterial wall, to prevent restenosis after a vascular procedure. Composition Claims: Pharmaceutical formulations containing an effective amount of a corticosteroid (e.g., methylprednisolone or dexamethasone) combined with an NSAID (e.g., indomethacin or diclofenac), suitable for intravascular delivery. Delivery Claims: Use of specific delivery devices, such as catheters or stents, to administer the composition locally to the target site. The claims emphasize local delivery of combined anti-inflammatory agents to inhibit neointimal proliferation. Claim Types Breakdown: Method claims: For administering the combination to prevent restenosis. Composition claims: For pharmaceutical formulations with specified active agents. Delivery claims: Methods and devices used for delivery. Limitations: Focus on intra-arterial delivery methods. Specific combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Applicability mainly to post-angioplasty or stent procedures. Patent Landscape: Related Patents and Innovations Prior Art and Similar Patents Major prior art includes patents and publications that address drug-eluting stents and pharmacological prevention of restenosis: U.S. Patent 5,743,251: Covers drug-eluting stents with antiproliferative agents. U.S. Patent 6,284,323: Describes compositions and delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to prevent restenosis. WIPO Publication WO 01/22677: Discusses local delivery of steroids for vascular restenosis. Subsequent Patents and Related Innovations Multiple patents (e.g., US 7,296,350; US 8,123,456) expand on drug combinations, delivery methods, and stent coatings to optimize the anti-restenosis effect. Recent patents shift toward using biodegradable carriers, nanoparticle formulations, and targeted delivery systems to improve efficacy and reduce systemic side effects. Patent Filing Trends (2000-2023) Peak filings occurred in the early 2000s following the patent grant. Post-2010, filings focus on next-generation delivery systems, including biodegradable stents and nanotechnology-enabled approaches. Patent activity in this domain remains active, with new filings exploring combinations of anti-inflammatory agents, siRNA, and other molecular therapies. Patent Litigation and Litigation Trends Patent challenges primarily concern overlapping claims with newer drug-eluting stent technologies. Patent litigations often focus on formulation claims and delivery device patents, involving major players like Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Medtronic. Key Takeaways U.S. Patent 6,770,675 covers specific combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs administered locally via catheters or stents aimed at preventing restenosis. The patent's claims are primarily method-based, emphasizing intra-arterial delivery of anti-inflammatory drug combinations. The patent landscape is characterized by a broad set of patents addressing drug-eluting stents, compositions, and delivery devices, with ongoing innovation in nanotechnology and biodegradable systems. The patent is part of a larger trend of combining pharmacology and device engineering to improve post-angioplasty outcomes. FAQs 1. How broad are the claims in U.S. Patent 6,770,675? The claims are specific to combinations of corticosteroids and NSAIDs delivered locally to prevent restenosis, limiting their scope to certain formulations and delivery methods. 2. Does the patent cover all drug-eluting stents? No. It covers particular drug combinations and methods. Other patents cover different drugs or delivery mechanisms. 3. Can existing drug-eluting stents infringe this patent? Potentially, if a stent releases a corticosteroid and NSAID combination with similar delivery methods claimed in the patent. 4. What areas have seen increased patent activity since the original publication? Nanotechnology-enabled delivery, biodegradable stents, and targeted drug delivery systems. 5. Who are the main patent holders in this area? Major players include Boston Scientific, Abbott, Medtronic, and other biotechnology and medical device companies. References [1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2004). U.S. Patent 6,770,675. [2] Kastrati, A., et al. (2002). Drug-eluting stents in coronary revascularization. The Lancet, 359(9312), 1002-1009. [3] WIPO. (2001). WO 01/22677 A1. Local Administration of Steroids for Restenosis Prevention.[4] Jaffe, R. L., et al. (2010). Drug-eluting stents: Past, present and future. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 7(12), 730-745. More… ↓ ⤷ Start Trial

Details for Patent: 6,770,675

Summary for Patent: 6,770,675