Patent EP0856278A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0856278A2
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Device and method for locating inflamed plaque in an artery
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-12-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A system for locating inflamed plaque in an artery of a patient includes a catheter with an expander mounted at a catheter distal end. An infrared carrier, e.g., an optical fiber is mounted on the catheter with a carrier distal end attached to the expander. A sensor is connected to a carrier proximal end to measure infrared radiation transmitted through the carrier from the carrier distal end. In use, the expander is operable to selectively move the carrier distal end into contact with the arterial wall. Infrared radiation can then be measured to determine the temperature at the arterial wall. Temperatures at various locations can be taken, with elevated temperatures being indicative of inflamed plaque.
Inventors
- 👤 David Lloyd Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/0022; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6853; A61B5/6855; G01J5/0025; G01J5/02; G01J5/025; G01J5/07; G01J5/08; G01J5/0801; G01J5/0802; G01J5/06; G01J2005/066; G01J5/04; G01J5/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an
artery of a patient, the device comprising: at least one detector, insertable into the artery, for receiving
information from the artery wall of the patient; a sensor for receiving the information from the detector and
determining the presence of inflamed plaque based upon the
information received from the detector; a carrier, at least partly insertable into the artery, for transferring
information from each detector to the sensor; and an expander for selectively positioning each detector proximate
the artery wall in the artery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each detector receives infrared
radiation from the artery wall, the carrier transmits infrared radiation from
each detector to the sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 2 comprising a plurality of detectors
positioned substantially circumferential around the expander and a carrier for
each detector for transferring information from each detector to the sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 3 wherein each carrier is an optical fiber
and each detector is formed as an aperture on each optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises: a monitor for monitoring temperature at each detector based
upon the infrared radiation received from each detector; a comparator for determining a temperature difference between
each detector; and an alarm for indicating when said temperature difference
exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises: a monitor for monitoring temperature at each detector; a comparator for determining whether a temperature change
occurs at each detector; an alarm for indicating when the temperature change exceeds a
predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the expander selectively moves
between a first configuration and a second configuration and the device
includes at least one flow passageway which allows for the flow of blood past
the expander when the expander is proximate its second configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a catheter having a
catheter distal end and the expander is attached proximally adjacent to the
catheter distal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the catheter is formed with a first
lumen and a second lumen, wherein the expander is an inflatable balloon and
the first lumen includes a first port proximate the catheter distal end and a
second port located proximal to said balloon to establish a flow passageway
through the first lumen between the first and second ports for the perfusion of
blood therethrough when the balloon is inflated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the expander comprises: a mechanism moveable between a first configuration and a
second configuration, the first configuration being dimensioned for
insertion of into the artery and the second configuration being
dimensioned for positioning the detector proximate in the artery wall;
and an actuator engaged with the mechanism for moving the
mechanism between the first configuration and the second
configuration.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A device for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an
artery of a patient, the device comprising: a plurality of detectors, insertable into the artery, for receiving
infrared radiation from the artery wall; a sensor for receiving infrared radiation from each detector and
determining temperature at each detector based upon the infrared
radiation received, the sensor including a comparator for determining a
temperature difference between each of the detectors and determining
a temperature change at each detector; a carrier for each detector, for transmitting infrared radiation
from each detector to the sensor; and an expander movable between a first configuration and a
second configuration for selectively positioning each of the detectors
proximate the artery wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the detectors are spaced apart
circumferentially around the expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the sensor includes an alarm for
indicating when the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the sensor includes an alarm for
indicating when the temperature change exceeds a predetermined value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5336178A
Cited
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