Patent ID: 8185176

Claim:
A computer implemented method of intra-operatively confirming the removal of at least one vessel comprising an arteriovenous malformation in a subject, comprising: a. administering a fluorescent dye to a recipient subject; b. applying a sufficient amount of energy to a vessel in the subject such that the fluorescent dye fluoresces; c. detecting pixel data in a detection area to be imaged; d. transmitting the pixel data to a processor; e. obtaining a fluorescing image of the vessel; f. observing the fluorescing image to identify a location of an arteriovenous malformation; g. surgically removing the vessel including the arteriovenous malformation; h. intraoperatively confirming the removal of the vessel including the arteriovenous malformation by observing the fluorescing image to determine if a fluorescent signal stops at a point of removal of the vessel, wherein a lack of a fluorescent signal downstream of the point of removal indicates the arteriovenous malformation has been removed; and i. calculating on the processor a relative maximum fluorescent intensity in an area of fluorescence, the area of fluorescence indicated by a number of pixels associated with the fluorescing dye in a pre treatment image and a post treatment image corresponding to the detection area, wherein a fewer number of pixels and less fluorescent intensity at the detector area indicates a removal of the arteriovenous malformation, and a greater number of pixels and greater fluorescent intensity at the detection area indicates a non-removal of the arteriovenous malformation.