6 results about "Atheroma" patented technology

An ultrasound imaging system for guiding a user to acquire ultrasound image data sets that can be analyzed for the presence of atherosclerosis. In one embodiment, the processor is programmed to analyze ultrasound image data for a vessel of interest and to control a user interface that suggests how an operator should move a transducer to acquire ultrasound image data with the vessel of interest in a desired location. The processor stores multiple ultrasound image data sets taken along a length of the vessel of interest to be analyzed for the presence of an atheroma.

A thrombectomy or atherectomy device (10) includes a thrombectomy or atherectomy catheter (12) including a cutter (20), and a physical barrier (22, 24) disposed proximate to the cutter. In some examples, the physical barrier (22, 24) can have a stiffness effective for the physical barrier to deflect a blood vessel having a thickness less than a first predetermined thickness threshold and effective for a thrombus or atheroma on an inner wall of the blood vessel to deflect the physical barrier.

A method for detecting the presence of an atheroma in an artery of interest using an ultrasound apparatus can include performing a first procedure on a first day. The first procedure can include detecting one or more blood vessels in a target region of a patient's body. The procedure can include identifying, from the one or more blood vessels, an artery of interest; automatically detecting spatial boundaries of constituent layers of an arterial wall of the artery of interest and calculating, via a processor of the ultrasound apparatus, a cross-sectional intima-media area (IMA) of the artery of interest at a first location along a length of the artery of interest. The procedure can include automatically calculating, via the processor of the ultrasound apparatus, IMA of the artery of interest at a second or more locations along the length of the artery of interest. In some embodiments, the procedure includes automatically calculating, via the processor and based at least in part on the calculations of the IMAs of the artery of interest at the first location and at the second or more locations, an intima-media volume (IMV), arterial volume, and luminal volume of the artery of interest over a predetermined length of the artery of interest.

This application relates to a system, method, and apparatus for image-based analysis of plaque. In some embodiments, the methods described herein can be used for developing treatment plans. Treatment plans may include local treatment, systemic treatment, or both. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used for stent selection. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used for surgical planning, including robot-assisted surgical planning. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used for image normalization. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used to identify a threshold for plaque calcification. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used to identify thin-capsule fibrous atheroma. In some embodiments, the approaches described herein can be used for reconstruction of the coronary artery tree. Some embodiments are intended for risk stratification of coronary artery disease.

Provided are a method, a device, and a program for accurately determining the risk of an atheroma. This method for determining the risk of an atheroma includes a condition determination step and a risk determination step. In the condition determination step, it is determined whether or not an atheroma shown in one or more tomographic images of a blood vessel of a patient which have been acquired by an imaging method utilizing optical interference satisfies the following conditions (a) and (b): (a) the atheroma has a fibrous cap having a thickness that is not more than a predetermined threshold value; and (b) the atheroma contains cholesterol crystals. In the risk determination step, when it has been determined that the atheroma satisfies the conditions (a) and (b), it is determined that the atheroma satisfying the conditions (a) and (b) has higher risk compared with an atheroma that satisfies one or neither of the conditions (a) and (b).

Vascular cutter devices, systems, and methods are provided to effectively cut and remove all types of thrombus and atheroma tissue, whether soft, tough, or hard, and can do so with a reduced risk of suffering vessel injuries while avoiding an undesirable volume of blood loss during procedures. Thrombectomy systems having curved tubular cutting devices, and methods of using them, are provided. These systems, devices, and methods can (i) effectively cut and remove a variety of thrombus tissue from blood vessels, including soft, tough, and hard tissue; (ii) safely self-collect and remove tissue particles to avoid release of emboli; (iii) effectively treat a blood vessel with a reduced risk of suffering vessel injuries that can lead to increased stenosis; and (iv) effectively reduce blood loss during a procedure.