Methods and apparatus for the identification and stabilization of vulnerable plaque
OwnerKenneth J. Michlitsch, Eduardo Ignacio Cespedesinventors
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for identifying and stabilizing vulnerable plaque via multi-functional catheters having both thermography and imaging capabilities. It is expected that correlating imaging and thermography data will facilitate improved identification of vulnerable plaque. Apparatus of the present invention may also be provided with optional stabilization elements for stabilizing vulnerable plaque. Methods of using apparatus of the present invention are provided.
Claims29
Apparatus for identification of vulnerable plaque, the apparatus comprising:
- a catheter having a distal region;
- an imaging element disposed on the catheter in the distal region;
- and
- a thermographer disposed on the catheter adjacent the imaging element.
A method for identifying vulnerable plaque within a body lumen of a patient, the method comprising:
- providing apparatus comprising a catheter having both an imaging element and a thermographer;
- percutaneously advancing the catheter to a target region within the patient's body lumen;
- obtaining an image of the target region with the imaging element;
- obtaining temperature data at the target region with the thermographer;
- and
- comparing the image and the temperature data obtained at the target region to determine if vulnerable plaque is present at the target region
Apparatus for identification of vulnerable plaque, the apparatus comprising:
- a catheter having proximal and distal ends, and a bore extending from the proximal end towards the distal end;
- a rotatable drive cable having a distal region;
- and
- a side-viewing fiber optic coupled to the distal region of the drive cable,
- wherein the rotatable drive cable is disposed within the bore, and
- wherein the side-viewing fiber optic is proximally coupled to an infrared thermography system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.