Patent ID: 8364237
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for analyzing a vessel wall of a blood vessel, the system comprising: a vascular probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode disposed near the distal end for engaging the vessel wall; a variable frequency power source coupled to the electrode such that, when the electrode engages the vessel wall, an electrical circuit comprising the power source, the electrode, and engaged vessel wall is defined; a processor coupled with the variable frequency power source, the processor configured to characterize a target tissue disposed eccentrically about the vessel wall by monitoring a frequency-dependent characteristic of the electrical circuit as a frequency of the variable frequency power source is varied between differing frequencies, wherein the processor is configured to characterize the target tissue using a tissue signature profile curve, within a frequency range, of impedance magnitude and phase angles of the circuit.