Patent ID: 6860851
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A diagnostic method for identifying a pathologic site in a blood vessel, of a patient's vasculature wherein said pathologic site is characterized by a generation of a pathologic marker, said method comprising: advancing a first detector and a second detector into said vasculature with each of said first and second detectors selected to detect an intensity of said marker, said detectors being arranged to avoid contact with a wall of the vasculature; spacing said first and second detectors apart while said detectors are seeking detection of said marker; advancing at least one of said detectors through said vessel with each of said detectors measuring an intensity of said marker at a location in said vasculature of each of said detectors; and comparing an intensity of said marker as measured by each of said detectors and noting an increase in intensity of said marker as measured by said at least one of said detectors relative to an intensity of said marker as measured by the other of said detectors; wherein a differential of intensity of said marker between said first and second detectors indicates a presence of said pathologic site in proximity to said at least one of the detectors and with said differential compensating for a systemic presence of said marker.