Patent ID: 11872355
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Pharmaceuticals (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 10:
11. A method comprising:
injecting a plurality of fluorescent microbeads into a fluid flowing in a lumen defined by an elongated body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the plurality of fluorescent microbeads are coated with a fluorescent material and are configured to flow with the fluid in the lumen;
stimulating a fluorescence response from the plurality of fluorescent microbeads in the fluid flowing through the lumen, wherein stimulating the plurality of fluorescent microbeads comprises causing a light source to emit light into the fluid flowing in the lumen to expose the plurality of fluorescent microbeads to the emitted light; and
detecting, via a light detector, the fluorescence response from the plurality of fluorescent microbeads, wherein the fluorescence response is indicative of a composition of the fluid.