Method and system of detecting vulnerable plaque by sensing motion of thin fibrous cap
First Claim
1. A method for detecting vulnerable plaque in a vessel, the method comprising:
- sending a pressure pulse toward a vascular tissue;
emitting electromagnetic radiation toward the vascular tissue;
detecting a resulting electromagnetic energy from an interaction of the emitted electromagnetic energy on the vascular tissue subjected to the pressure pulse; and
determining at least one vulnerable plaque lesion in the vascular tissue based on the resulting energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting vulnerable plaque lesions in a blood vessel includes subjecting a localized area of the blood vessel to pressure pulses, while emitting electromagnetic radiation at the same localized area of the blood vessel. The pressure pulses cause vibrations of the vascular tissue and the vulnerable plaque lesions that are characteristic for each, which results in differing amounts of deflection of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the vascular surface. The presence or absence of vulnerable plaque is determined from the extent of the deflection of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the vascular surface. In another embodiment according to the invention, the presence or absence of vulnerable plaque lesions is determined from the intensity of vibrations of the vascular tissue in response to a pressure pulse.
144 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for detecting vulnerable plaque in a vessel, the method comprising:
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sending a pressure pulse toward a vascular tissue;
emitting electromagnetic radiation toward the vascular tissue;
detecting a resulting electromagnetic energy from an interaction of the emitted electromagnetic energy on the vascular tissue subjected to the pressure pulse; and
determining at least one vulnerable plaque lesion in the vascular tissue based on the resulting energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting vulnerable plaque in a vessel, the method comprising:
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sending a pressure pulse toward vascular tissue;
detecting a resulting vibration from an interaction of the of the pulse on the vascular tissue; and
determining at least one vulnerable plaque lesion in the vascular tissue based on the resulting vibration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for detecting vulnerable plaque in a vessel comprising:
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a catheter;
a pressure pulse generator coupled to the catheter;
an electromagnetic radiation emitter coupled to the catheter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector coupled to the catheter to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation that is directed at vascular tissue subjected to a pressure pulse. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system for detecting vulnerable plaque in a vessel comprising:
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a catheter; and
a vibration sensing device coupled to the catheter to receive vibrations from vascular tissue. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for detecting vulnerable plaque lesions in a blood vessel comprising:
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causing a localized change in pressure in the blood vessel;
measuring a motion of an internal surface of the blood vessel in response to the change in pressure; and
determining at least one vulnerable plaque lesion in the blood vessel based on a difference in motion between the surface of the vulnerable plaque and the surface of the healthy blood vessel.
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Specification