Patent ID: 9468380
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising the steps of: i. inserting a distal end of a first photonic needle within myocardium; ii. emitting light from the distal end of the first photonic needle within the myocardium; iii. detecting light reflected from the myocardium; iv. processing the reflected light to measure oxygen saturation of the myocardium; v. establishing a baseline oxygen saturation level of the myocardium; vi. repeating the emitting, detecting and processing steps; vii. wherein when the measured oxygen saturation of the myocardium decreases by more than 15% from the baseline oxygen saturation level, then the myocardium is identified as in need of a corrective intervention that would better protect the myocardium in an ischemic environment; and viii. wherein providing the corrective intervention includes the step of applying a cardioplegia solution to the myocardium to reduce metabolic activity.