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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 04, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2005
Chun Yuan, Belleuve, WA (US);
Thomas S. Hatsukami, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Renu Virmani, Chevy Chase, MD (US);
Jianming Cai, Beijing, CN;
William S. Kerwin, Seattle, WA (US);
Marina S. Ferguson, Seattle, WA (US);
Chun Yuan, Belleuve, WA (US);
Thomas S. Hatsukami, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Renu Virmani, Chevy Chase, MD (US);
Jianming Cai, Beijing, CN;
William S. Kerwin, Seattle, WA (US);
Marina S. Ferguson, Seattle, WA (US);
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A method for characterizing the risk associated with atherosclerosis is disclosed. The method uses one or more images of cross-sections of the artery or other vessel of interest to identify and locate components of the atherosclerotic deposit, including any hemorrhage, necrotic core, and calcification, and to determine the status and composition of the fibrous cap. In one embodiment, high resolution MRI images are utilized, although other imaging modalities may alternatively be used. A simple scoring system is applied that accounts for the presence of these components and more heavily weights the presence of these components in the juxtaluminal portion of the deposit. The status of the fibrous cap (intact or ruptured) and the composition of the fibrous cap (collagen or mixed tissue) are also incorporated into a final atherosclerosis risk score.