Patent ID: 6314314
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for localizing an internal bleeding site in the body of a mammal believed to be at risk of internal bleeding, said method comprising the steps of:introducing into the circulatory system of said mammal a solution comprising a clotting factor that is capable of contributing to clot formation prior to the production of thrombin, said factor comprising a radioactive trace element;permitting time to pass for at least some of the clotting factor in said solution to become localized to a site of bleeding to participate in clot formation;scanning the exterior portion of the body of said mammal near a suspected said bleeding site with a detector that is sensitive to radiation; andexternally detecting with a detector radiation emitted by said radiolabeled factor to determine a location of the bleeding site based upon a concentration of the radioactive trace element incorporated therein.