US5871449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device and method for locating inflamed plaque in an artery
Assignee: Philips Image Guided Therapy Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-27
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2016-12-27
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
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:16
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: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an artery of a patient, the device comprising: a plurality of detectors, each detector being insertable into the artery, and being adapted for receiving information about the artery wall of the patient; a sensor for receiving the information from the detectors and determining the presence of inflamed plaque based upon the information received from the detectors; and an expander for selectively positioning each detector proximate the artery wall in the artery; wherein the detectors are spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an artery of a patient, the device comprising: a plurality of detectors, each detector being insertable into the artery, and being adapted for receiving information about the artery wall of the patient; a sensor for receiving the information from the detectors and determining the presence of inflamed plaque based upon the information received from the detectors; and an expander for selectively positioning each detector proximate the artery wall in the artery; wherein the detectors are spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each detector receives infrared radiation from the artery wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of carriers, each carrier being at least party insertable into the artery for transferring information from each detector to the sensor; wherein each carrier is an optical fiber and each detector is formed as an aperture on each optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises: a monitor for monitoring temperature at each detector based upon the information 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 1 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 7 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
110 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 information from the artery wall; a sensor for receiving information from each detector and determining temperature at each detector based upon the information received, the sensor including a comparator for determining a temperature difference between each of the detectors and determining a temperature change at each detector; and an expander movable between a first configuration and a second configuration for selectively positioning the detectors against the artery wall; wherein the detectors are spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 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 information from the artery wall; a sensor for receiving information from each detector and determining temperature at each detector based upon the information received, the sensor including a comparator for determining a temperature difference between each of the detectors and determining a temperature change at each detector; and an expander movable between a first configuration and a second configuration for selectively positioning the detectors against the artery wall; wherein the detectors are spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10 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 10 wherein the sensor includes an alarm for indicating when the temperature change exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 10 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 16
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for determining a temperature at an artery wall of an artery, the method comprising the steps of: advancing an expander in the artery while the expander is at a first configuration; moving the expander to proximate a second configuration so that a plurality of detectors, which move with the expander substantially contact the artery wall so that each detector can receive information about the artery wall, the detectors being spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander; transmitting the information from each detector to a sensor; and determining the temperature of the artery wall at each detector with the sensor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for determining a temperature at an artery wall of an artery, the method comprising the steps of: advancing an expander in the artery while the expander is at a first configuration; moving the expander to proximate a second configuration so that a plurality of detectors, which move with the expander substantially contact the artery wall so that each detector can receive information about the artery wall, the detectors being spaced apart substantially around a circumference of the expander; transmitting the information from each detector to a sensor; and determining the temperature of the artery wall at each detector with the sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of monitoring the temperature at each detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of comparing the temperature at each detector to determine whether a temperature change occurs at each detector and to determine whether a temperature difference occurs between each detector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 comprising the step of indicating when one of the temperature change and the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of transmitting heat from a heat source through at least one carrier to the artery wall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 comprising the step of releasing a fluid from a fluid passageway to the artery wall.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
117 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, and being adapted for receiving information about 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; an expander for selectively positioning each detector proximate the artery wall in the artery, the expander being adapted to selectively move between a first configuration and a second configuration; and at least one flow passageway which allows for the flow of blood past the expander when the expander is proximate its second configuration.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
117 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, and being adapted for receiving information about 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; an expander for selectively positioning each detector proximate the artery wall in the artery, the expander being adapted to selectively move between a first configuration and a second configuration; and at least one flow passageway which allows for the flow of blood past the expander when the expander is proximate its second configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 20 including a plurality of detectors which are spaced apart substantially circumferentially around the expander.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an artery of a patient, the method comprising the steps of; advancing an expander in the artery while the expander is at a first configuration; moving the expander to a second configuration so that a detector, which moves with the expander, contacts the artery wall, the detector being adapted to receive information about the artery wall; transferring the information from the detector to a sensor; and determining the presence of inflamed plaque based upon the information received from the detector.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for locating inflamed plaque on an artery wall of an artery of a patient, the method comprising the steps of; advancing an expander in the artery while the expander is at a first configuration; moving the expander to a second configuration so that a detector, which moves with the expander, contacts the artery wall, the detector being adapted to receive information about the artery wall; transferring the information from the detector to a sensor; and determining the presence of inflamed plaque based upon the information received from the detector.
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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) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |