Patent ID: 9700215
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: A61B,G16H

Claim:
1. A method of preventing hemorrhaging of a vessel containing a blood clot in a patient by determining in a closed system a vitality of a portion of the vessel downstream of the blood clot to determine how to treat the blood clot by determining a pH level of blood downstream of the blood clot, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongated flexible member having a distal portion; inserting the flexible member through vasculature of the patient and past the blood clot to a select position downstream of the blood clot in the vessel so the distal portion is positioned distal of the blood clot, the flexible member carrying a pH sensor; after the pH sensor is in position distal of the blood clot, sensing the pH level of the blood downstream of the blood clot with the sensor positioned distal of the blood clot, the pH level of the blood downstream of the blood clot in the closed system indicative of the vitality of the vessel downstream of the blood clot; and visually displaying to the user, via an indicating device in communication with the sensor, the pH level of the blood downstream of the blood clot prior to commencement of treatment of the blood clot to assess the vitality of the portion of the vessel downstream of the blood clot; and subsequently determining to keep permanently in place the flood clot based on the pH level in the preceding displaying step falling outside a predetermined normal range to thereby prevent subsequent hemorrhaging of the vessel.