Method and apparatus for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque
US7426409B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0073
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, or plaque at risk of reducing blood flow in a vessel, by identifying a region of elevated temperature along a living vessel wall. The disclosure that human atherosclerotic plaque with measurable temperature heterogeneity has the morphological characteristics of plaque that is likely to ulcerate provides a new and sensitive technique for detecting and treating these dangerous plaques before myocardial infarction and its consequences occur. The disclosed methods are advantageous over conventional plaque detection techniques because they are capable of differentiating between those plaques that are at great risk of rupture, fissure, or ulceration, and consequent thrombosis and occlusion of the artery, and those that are not presently at risk. Infrared heat-sensing catheters useful for identifying potentially fatal arterial plaques in patients with disease of the coronary or other arteries are also described. In some embodiments a coherent infrared fiber optic bundle is employed to radially and longitudinally explore a luminal wall to identify inflamed, heat-producing, atherosclerotic plaque. Certain oth…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.