Cryotherapy catheter for detecting and treating vulnerable plaque

摘要

Methods, apparatus, and kits detect and/or treat vulnerable plaque of a blood vessel. A temperature differential can o be sensed along a lumen surface with temperature sensors on a balloon filled with warm gas. Treatment methods include controlled > and safe cryogenic cooling of vulnerable plaque to inhibit release of retained fluid within the vulnerable plaque so as to inhibit acute coronary syndrome and to help maintain patency of a body lumen.