The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 31, 2006

Filed:

Aug. 16, 2002
Applicants:

S. Ward Casscells, Houston, TX (US);

James T. Willerson, Houston, TX (US);

Gregory H. Bearman, Pasadena, CA (US);

Michael L. Eastwood, So. Pasadena, CA (US);

Timothy N. Krabach, Valencia, CA (US);

Inventors:

S. Ward Casscells, Houston, TX (US);

James T. Willerson, Houston, TX (US);

Gregory H. Bearman, Pasadena, CA (US);

Michael L. Eastwood, So. Pasadena, CA (US);

Timothy N. Krabach, Valencia, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 5/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A method of detecting vulnerable arterial plaque formed on the vessel wall in vivo is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining an image of the arterial plaque, measuring the temperature of the arterial plaque, and determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature compared to the temperature of at least one adjacent vessel wall site. The method may include determining whether the plaque exhibits an elevated temperature of between 0.4 to 4° C. above at least one adjacent vessel wall site.


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