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Methods and apparatus for in vivo identification and characterization of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

  • US 20010047137A1
  • Filed: 01/24/2001
  • Published: 11/29/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1998
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for identifying artenal lesions as vulnerable plaques comprising:

  • a light generating means for transmitting simultaneously and in parallel an incident beam of light having a wavelength range from substantially 1400 to 4100 nm;

    means for directing light from said light generating means onto the lesion to be analyzed;

    fiber-optic probe means for transmitting light from said light generating means to said light directing means and for receiving light scattered by said lesion;

    means for detecting light simultaneously and in parallel across a full wavelength range of substantially 1400 to 4100 nm scattered by said lesion; and

    means for analyzing the detected light across a full wavelength range of substantially 1400 to 4100 nm., wherein said fiber-optic probe means including a centrally located light transmitting strand and a radial array of light receiving strands concentrically positioned around said light transmitting strand, said light transmitting and receiving strands each including a distal end and said distal end of said light transmitting strand projecting beyond said distal ends of said light receiving strands by between 0.1 and 5.0 nm.

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