Catheter and method for the thermal mapping of hot spots in vascular lesions of the human body
First Claim
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1. A thermal mapping catheter comprising:
- an elongated flexible tubular member suitable for insertion into a vessel in the body of a patient, the flexible tubular member having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends; and
a multiplicity of thermal sensors suitable for detecting temperature variations in the body vessel, the thermal sensors being mounted on the flexible tubular member, wherein the multivucity of thermal sensors are arranged in a plurality of bands that are longitudinally spaced along the flexible tubular member, each band having a plurality of radially spaced thermal sensors.
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Abstract
An intravascular catheter system capable of mapping thermal variations in the temperature of athrosclerotic plaque, on the athrosclerotic plaque surface, and in the arterial wall of aneurysms and other vascular lesions of the human vasculature is provided. The catheter system incorporates a plurality of thermal sensors fixedly attached along the catheters multi-lumen flexible tubular member which is adapted for insertion into the human body. Optionally, the thermal mapping catheter of the present invention is combined with other features such as intravascular ultrasound, and localized drug delivery, to provide integrated device functions.
357 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermal mapping catheter comprising:
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an elongated flexible tubular member suitable for insertion into a vessel in the body of a patient, the flexible tubular member having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends; and a multiplicity of thermal sensors suitable for detecting temperature variations in the body vessel, the thermal sensors being mounted on the flexible tubular member, wherein the multivucity of thermal sensors are arranged in a plurality of bands that are longitudinally spaced along the flexible tubular member, each band having a plurality of radially spaced thermal sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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13. A thermal mapping catheter comprising:
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an elongated flexible tubular member suitable for insertion into a vessel in the body of a patient, the flexible tubular member having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends; a multiplicity of thermal sensors suitable for detecting temperature variations in the body vessel, the thermal sensors being mounted on the flexible tubular member; an ultrasonic imaging arrangement suitable for imaging the body vessel, the ultrasonic imaging arrangement including an ultrasonic transducer for emitting ultrasound signals and a torque cable for rotating the ultrasonic transducer; and wherein the flexible tubular member includes a first lumen for receiving the torque cable and a second lumen suitable for receiving a guide wire.
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Specification