Methods and apparatus for characterizing lesions in blood vessels and other body lumens
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for identifying or assessing a luminal lesion, said method comprising:
- introducing a first detectable marker into a body lumen, wherein said first detectable marker localizes at a lesion comprising a material which preferentially binds or incorporates the first detectable marker;
introducing a detector into the body lumen; and
detecting the first detectable marker localized at said lesion using the detector.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices, and kits, for assessing luminal lesions are provided. The subject devices comprise an intraluminal detector capable of sensing radioactive or other labels. In the subject methods, a detectable marker is introduced to a body lumen, either into the lumen itself or systemically in patient circulation, and localizes at a lesion. The detector is introduced into the body lumen and the distribution of a localized marker detected in situ. The information is useful for a number of purposes including the identification of unstable plaque in patients suffering from atherosclerotic disease.
90 Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A method for identifying or assessing a luminal lesion, said method comprising:
-
introducing a first detectable marker into a body lumen, wherein said first detectable marker localizes at a lesion comprising a material which preferentially binds or incorporates the first detectable marker;
introducing a detector into the body lumen; and
detecting the first detectable marker localized at said lesion using the detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
introducing a second detectable marker to the body lumen, wherein said second detectable marker localizes at a lesion comprising a second material which preferentially binds the second detectable marker; and
detecting the second detecting marker.
-
-
17. A method as in claim 16, wherein the second detectable marker is detected using the same detector as detected the first detectable marker.
-
18. A method as in claim 16, wherein the second detectable marker is detected using a second detector.
-
19. A method as in claim 1, wherein the body lumen is selected from a blood vessel, a ureter, a urethra, an esophagus, a cervix, a uterus or a bladder.
-
20. A method as in claim 1, wherein said first detectable marker is a fluorescent marker.
-
21. A method for assessing stability of an intravascular lesion, said method comprising:
-
introducing a radiolabeled substance into a blood vessel, wherein the radiolabeled substance is selectively incorporated into plaque which is at increased risk of rupture;
introducing a detector into the blood vessel; and
determining to which degree the radiolabeled substance has been incorporated into a lesion, whereby an assessment of lesion stability may be made. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
introducing a second radiolabeled substance to the blood vessel, wherein said second radiolabeled substance localizes at a lesion comprising a second material which preferentially binds the lesion; and
detecting the second radiolabeled substance.
-
-
36. A method as in claim 35, wherein the second radiolabeled substance is detected using the same detector as detected the first radiolabeled substance.
-
37. A method as in claim 35, wherein the second radiolabeled substance is detected using a second detector.
Specification