Patent ID: 7842012

Claim:
A method for performing a therapeutic procedure, comprising: providing a guidewire having an outside diameter, comprising: an elongated member including a lumen disposed along a segment of the elongated member and an opening positioned so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the vessel, a shaping ribbon having a distal and proximal end, the distal end secured to a rounded tip and the proximal end secured to a distal end of the elongated member, and a sensor positioned within the lumen so that the sensor is in fluid communication with the vessel through the opening, the sensor being capable of measuring the level of nitric oxide or superoxide in the vessel, wherein the sensor is capable of being moved independently of the distal end of the elongated member; providing a treatment catheter including a lumen having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter to enable sliding of the treatment catheter over and along the guidewire; positioning the guidewire at a specified location within a vessel; allowing a body fluid to enter the lumen through the opening in the elongated member of the guidewire so that the body fluid is in contact with the sensor; measuring the level of nitric oxide or superoxide of the body fluid in contact with the sensor; and based on the measured level of nitric oxide or superoxide, performing the therapeutic procedure including the step of guiding a treatment catheter to the specified location by sliding the treatment catheter over and along the guidewire.