Method for detecting early atherosclerosis and vascular damage using radioactive tracers and intravascular radiation detection devices
US6295680A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/00904
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and optionally treating metabolically unstable or active atherosclerotic plaque is provided. The patient is given an I.V. solution containing a radioactive tracer which specifically accumulates in these plaques. A miniaturized radiation detector for local radioactivity imaging and detection is applied directly within the arterial lumen. The radiation detector identifies and differentiates the active, unstable plaque from the inactive, stable plaque. Treatment may optionally be provided through any of three forms, including opening the vessel by mechanical expansion, removing the plaque by mechanical ablation, or delivering a metabolism-altering agent to the affected site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.