METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING VASCULAR HEALTH CONDITIONS
First Claim
1. A thermal energy measurement apparatus, comprising:
- a thermal energy sensor adapted to measure temperature of a body part while not substantially changing the temperature of the body part, and a display or recorder coupled to the thermal energy sensor, wherein the thermal energy sensor measures the temperature of the body part before and subsequent to the provision of a vasostimulant, and the display or recorder reports the temperature of the body part prior to the provision of the stimulant and the temperature of the body part after provision of the stimulant.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for assessing a patient'"'"'s vascular health including endothelial function by monitoring changes in hemodynamic parameters responsive to the introduction of a vasostimulant. The invention provides a thermal energy measurement apparatus including a thermal energy sensor adapted to measure temperature of a body part while not substantially changing the temperature of the body part, and a display or recorder coupled to the thermal energy sensor, wherein the thermal energy sensor measures the temperature of the body part before and subsequent to the provision of a vasostimulant, and the display or recorder reports the temperature of the body part prior to the provision of the stimulant and the temperature of the body part after provision of the stimulant. Also provides are methods and apparatus providing for a second thermal energy sensor on a corresponding contralateral site to the site subject to the vasostimulant and simultaneously monitoring and recording of temperature of the contralateral site as a measure of neurovascular status and microvascular reactivity.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1. A thermal energy measurement apparatus, comprising:
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a thermal energy sensor adapted to measure temperature of a body part while not substantially changing the temperature of the body part, and a display or recorder coupled to the thermal energy sensor, wherein the thermal energy sensor measures the temperature of the body part before and subsequent to the provision of a vasostimulant, and the display or recorder reports the temperature of the body part prior to the provision of the stimulant and the temperature of the body part after provision of the stimulant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 59, 60)
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32. A method for assessment of vascular reactivity in an individual comprising:
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locating a thermal energy sensor on a target site on the individual, wherein the thermal energy sensor does not alter microcapillary flow, and establishing a stable baseline temperature with the thermal energy sensor at the site;
providing a vasostimulant to the individual;
determining a temperature response to the vasostimulant; and
establishing a vascular reactivity assessment for the individual based on the temperature response. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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- 55. A treatment for improving vascular function, wherein the treatment is determined to be efficacious in improving vascular function based on an increase in normalized TR, SlopeR and/or NP digital thermal monitoring values as a consequence of the treatment.
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58. A method for determining influence of a treatment on vascular function, comprising:
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determining one or more normalized values selected from a TF, TR, SlopeR and/or NP value for a patient by digital thermal monitoring;
administering the treatment to the patient;
monitoring the patient for any change in one or more of the normalized values by periodic repeat determinations in the patient;
establishing that the treatment influences vascular function if a significant change in one or more of the normalized values result from administration of the agent.
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Specification