Patent US4709703A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4709703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Imaging system and method using radiopaque microspheres for evaluation of organ tissue perfusion
Assignee: Mayo Clinic in Florida
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Filing: 1985-11-12
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2005-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A radiologic imaging system and method (20) using radiopaque microspheres for evaluating organ tissue perfusion. Radiopaque microspheres are administered to organ tissue (22) which is then scanned using a computerized tomography (CT) scanner (24) which provides a visual CT image (26) and/or statistical report (28) providing an indication and/or measurement of organ tissue perfusion.
Inventors
- 👤 Normand H. Lazarow
- 👤 Alfred A. Bove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/504; A61B6/507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) subjecting the organ tissue to electromagnetic radiation; and (c) measuring the electromagnetic radiation from selected regions of interest in the organ tissue, thereby quantitating the organ tissue perfusion in the selected regions of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) subjecting the organ tissue to electromagnetic radiation; and (c) measuring the electromagnetic radiation from selected regions of interest in the organ tissue, thereby quantitating the organ tissue perfusion in the selected regions of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, including the step of comparing the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected over selected regions of interest in the organ tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiopaque microspheres are biodegradable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, including the step of selectively delivering the radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, including the step of systemically delivering the radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiopaque microspheres are non-radioactive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering non-radioactive radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) scanning the organ tissue with a computerized x-ray tomography (CT) scanner device to detect the presence of the radiopaque microspheres in the organ tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering non-radioactive radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) scanning the organ tissue with a computerized x-ray tomography (CT) scanner device to detect the presence of the radiopaque microspheres in the organ tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, further including the step of providing a visual CT image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, further including the step of calculating a numerical CT value representative of the relative density of the radiopaque microspheres in the organ tissue, whereby the relative tissue perfusion in a selected region of interest can be determined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the microspheres used are biodegradable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the microspheres used are nonbiodegradable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering non-radioactive, radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) subjecting the organ tissue to electromagnetic x-ray radiation; and (c) measuring the transmission of the electromagnetic x-ray radiation as attentuated by the radiopaque microspheres from selected regions of interest in the organ tissue, thereby quantitating the organ tissue perfusion in the selected regions of interest based on differences in the organ tissue radiopacity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
An imaging method for evaluating organ tissue perfusion, comprising the steps of: (a) administering non-radioactive, radiopaque microspheres to the organ tissue which become occluded in terminal capillary beds in the organ tissue; (b) subjecting the organ tissue to electromagnetic x-ray radiation; and (c) measuring the transmission of the electromagnetic x-ray radiation as attentuated by the radiopaque microspheres from selected regions of interest in the organ tissue, thereby quantitating the organ tissue perfusion in the selected regions of interest based on differences in the organ tissue radiopacity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An imaging method in accordance with claim 12, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed by imaging the organ tissue with a computerized x-ray tomography (CT) scanner device to detect the presence of the radiopaque microspheres in the organ tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An imaging method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the radiopaque microspheres have a diameter of 15 to 18 microns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An imaging method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the radiopaque microspheres are comprised of metal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An imaging method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the radiopaque microspheres are comprised of tungsten.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |