摘要 |
The present invention discloses a device and methods for characterizing vulnerable plaque and cancer tissue by measuring changes in tissue elasticity compared to that of normal tissue. The system includes a catheter with an expandable element at a proximal end. The expandable element is equipped with pressure sensors to detect changes in tissue elasticity and can be additionally equipped with sensors that detect tissue temperature and pH. For arterial tissue or tissue lining a body cavity, the device can also be equipped with width gauges that measure the diameter of the artery lumen or the width of any section of the body cavity. The distal end of the catheter may be attached to a motorized pullback device connected to a computer. Data collected by the device sensors are sent to the computer for processing and analysis.
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