Method of detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque

• US 6,993,382 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2002
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Bearman, Gregory H., Willerson, James T., Casscells, S. Ward, Eastwood, Michael L., Krabach, Timothy N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/222,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 600/549, 600/474, 600/477, 600/478, 606/15, 606/7
• US Class Current: 600/545
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22001 Angioplasty, e.g. PCTA
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0073 by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections A61B5/0066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon

Abstract

A method of detecting vulnerable arterial plaque formed on the vessel wall in vivo is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining an image of the arterial plaque, measuring the temperature of the arterial plaque, and determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature compared to the temperature of at least one adjacent vessel wall site. The method may include determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of between 0.4 to 4° C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.

Claims

1. A method of detecting vulnerable arterial plaque formed on the vessel wall in vivo, comprising:

obtaining an image of the arterial plaque;

measuring the temperature of the arterial plaque; and

determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature compared to the temperature of at least one adjacent vessel wall site.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining an image comprises obtaining an intravascular ultrasound image of the arterial plaque.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining an image comprises obtaining a magnetic resonance image of the arterial plaque.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature comprises the step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of up to 5°

C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature comprises the step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of between 0.4 to 4°

C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature comprises the step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of at least 0.1°

C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature comprises the step of determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of at least 1.5°

C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.