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US 2002/0001068 A1Published application
Intravascular imaging detector
AssigneeGamma Medica-Ideas, Inc.
InventorsJan S. Iwanczyk, Bradley E. Patt, Edward J. Hoffman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for intravascular imaging to detect and characterize early-stage, unstable coronary arty plaques. The detector works by identifying and localizing plaque-binding beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals.
Claims88
A method of localizing radiopharmaceutical markers in a body lumen:
- advancing a detector array through the body lumen;
- operating the detector array at a gross count rate;
- and
- operating the detector array at a higher resolution imaging mode when a threshold count rate is detected.
1 more element
An intravascular imaging catheter comprising:
- a catheter body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- and
- a radiation detector array disposed at the distal portion of the catheter body, wherein the radiation detector are capable of operating both at a gross count rate and in an imaging mode.
An intravascular imaging catheter comprising:
- a catheter body;
- a first scintillator that generates light within a first emission spectrum;
- a second scintillator that generates light within a second emission spectrum, wherein the first emission spectrum is offset in wavelength from the second emission spectrum, wherein the first and second scintillator are disposed on the catheter body;
- and
- an optical delivery device that can transmit light from the first scintillator and second scintillator to a photodetector.
2 more elements
A method of characterizing unstable plaque a body lumen, the method comprising:
- positioning first and second scintillators at a target site in the body lumen;
- generating light in at least one of the scintillators in response to radiation attached to the unstable plaque, wherein light generated in the first scintillators has a first emission spectrum and light generated in the second scintillator is in a second emission spectrum, wherein the first emission spectrum is offset in wavelength from the second emission spectrum;
- and
- transmitting the light generated in the first and second scintillators down an optical fiber.
1 more element
An imaging catheter comprising:
- a catheter body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- a flexible membrane disposed at the distal portion of the catheter body, wherein the flexible membrane is movable between a deflated position and an inflated position;
- and
- an array of radiation detectors coupled to the flexible membrane.
1 more element
An intravascular imaging probe comprising:
- a body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- an optical fiber movably disposed within the body;
- an imaging plate disposed on the distal portion of the body about a distal portion of the optical fiber, wherein beta radiation is absorbed and stored as stable energy in the imaging plate;
- and
- a laser to deliver a laser light through the optical fiber to excite the stable energy in the imaging plate so as to release light into the optical fiber.
2 more elements
A method of locating and characterizing radiopharmaceuticals in a body lumen, the method comprising:
- advancing a catheter through the body lumen;
- and
- expanding a flexible membrane on the catheter to move the radiation detectors closer to the radiopharmaceuticals in the body lumen.
A kit comprising:
- a catheter comprising at least one radiation detector that can switch between a search mode and an imaging mode;
- instructions for use in operating the radiation detector in search mode during transit through a body lumen and switching to imaging mode after a high count rate is localized with the search mode;
- and
- a package adapted to contain the device and the instructions for use.
1 more element
A kit comprising:
- a catheter comprising at least one radiation detector disposed on an expandable flexible membrane;
- instructions for use comprising advancing the catheter to a target site and expanding the balloon from a deflated configuration to an expanded configuration;
- and
- a package adapted to contain the device and the instructions for use.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.