Methods and apparatus for the identification and stabilization of vulnerable plaque
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for characterization of plaque within a patient'"'"'s vessel, the apparatus comprising:
- a catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal region;
an imaging element disposed at the distal region; and
an infrared element disposed at the distal region, wherein images of the patient'"'"'s vessel may be constructed from data obtained with the imaging element, and wherein chemical, thermographic or emissivity analysis of the vessel may be conducted using data obtained with the infrared element.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for identifying and stabilizing vulnerable plaque via multi-functional catheters having both infrared detection and imaging capabilities. It is expected that correlating imaging and infrared data will facilitate improved identification of vulnerable plaque. Apparatus of the present invention may also be provided with optional stabilization elements for stabilizing vulnerable plaque, as well as optional embolic protection. Methods of using apparatus of the present invention are also provided.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for characterization of plaque within a patient'"'"'s vessel, the apparatus comprising:
-
a catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal region;
an imaging element disposed at the distal region; and
an infrared element disposed at the distal region, wherein images of the patient'"'"'s vessel may be constructed from data obtained with the imaging element, and wherein chemical, thermographic or emissivity analysis of the vessel may be conducted using data obtained with the infrared element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. Apparatus for identification of vulnerable plaque, the apparatus comprising:
-
a catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal region;
an imaging element; and
an infrared element disposed on the distal region, wherein the infrared element is configured to illuminate a target site and measure reflected light, and further configured to measure naturally emitted radiation from the target site.
-
-
20. A method for characterizing plaque within a patient'"'"'s vessel, the method comprising:
-
providing a catheter having an imaging element and an infrared element, the infrared element comprising a light source and a detector;
disposing the catheter within the patient'"'"'s vessel at a region of interest;
obtaining an image of the plaque with the imaging element;
illuminating the plaque with the light source;
detecting light backscattered from the plaque with the detector;
analyzing the detected light; and
characterizing the plaque based on a comparison of the image of the plaque with the analysis of the detected, backscattered light.
-
Specification