Method and apparatus for locating and detecting vascular plaque via impedence and conductivity measurements, and for cryogenically passivating vascular plaque and inhibiting vascular plaque progression and rupture
First Claim
1. A method for locating and detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body, the method comprising the steps of sensing and analyzing electrical signals proximate the area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body is described, the method comprising the steps of moving one or more electrically sensitive sensors substantially near an area where plaque may be present, obtaining electrical signal readings from the sensors, and determining the presence or absence of plaque. The presence or absence of the plaque corresponds to the electrical signal readings. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on a lumenal surface of a body lumen. A cooling device is positioned at the lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation. The lumenal surface is cooled at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation in which the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. As another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the risk of plaque rupture in a vessel. A catheter is inserted into a patient'"'"'s vessel. The catheter is manipulated to a region of the vessel proximate to a plaque formation such that an outer surface of the catheter is positioned at tissue proximate to the plaque formation. The catheter is activated such that the outer surface of the catheter cools the contacting tissue to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius.
133 Citations
63 Claims
- 1. A method for locating and detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body, the method comprising the steps of sensing and analyzing electrical signals proximate the area.
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29. A device for detecting plaque proximate a surrounding area of a human body, the device comprising:
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one or more sensors for detecting electrical signals proximate the area; and
a treatment device for treating the plaque, the treating device coupled to the one or more sensors. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. An apparatus for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque proximate an area of a body lumen the apparatus comprising:
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one or more electrically sensitive sensors for detecting impedance of the area of the body lumen, the presence or absence of the vulnerable plaque corresponding to the detected impedance; and
a steerable catheter coupled to the one or more sensors, the catheter including a tip, the tip being maneuvered to a point proximate to the vulnerable plaque, and wherein the catheter delivers a beneficial agent to the area to treat tissue identified as the vulnerable plaque.
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57. A method for treating vulnerable plaque formed on an interior lumenal surface of a body lumen comprising the steps of:
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positioning a cooling device within an interior lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation; and
cooling the lumenal surface at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation wherein the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius.
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58. A method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on an interior lumenal surface of a body lumen comprising the steps of:
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inserting a catheter into a patient'"'"'s vessel;
manipulating the catheter to a region of the vessel proximate to a plaque formation such that an outer surface of the catheter is positioned at tissue proximate to the plaque formation; and
activating the catheter such that the outer surface of the catheter cools the tissue in a temperature range from about zero degrees Celsius to about minus one hundred and twenty degrees Celsius thereby reducing inflammation of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification