CA2231425A1 - Detecting thermal discrepancies in vessel walls - Google Patents

Abstract

An infrared, heat sensing catheter (10) particularly useful for identifying potentially fatal arterial plaques in patients with disease of the coronary or other arteries and its use, are detailed. In one embodiment, an infrared fiberoptic system (70) is employed at the tip of the catheter (10) to locate inflamed, heat producing, artherosclerotic plaque, which is at greater risk for rupture, fissure, or ulceration and consequent thrombosis and occlusion of the artery. In another embodiment, a catheter (10) with an infrared detector employed at its tip will likewise locate inflamed heat producing atherosclerotic plaque. The invention may be used to detect abscesses,infection, and cancerous regions by the heat such regions differentially display over the ambient temperature of immediately adjacent tissues. The invention may also be used to detect regions of cooler than ambient tissue in a vessel or organ which indicate cell death, thrombosis, hemorrhage, calcium or cholesterol accumulations or foreign materials.

Description

W O 97/10748 PCTnUS96/15217 DETECTING THERMAL DISCREPANCIES IN VESSEL WALLS

CROS~REF FR~ cE; TO R13LATI~D APLICATION
The present application claims the benefit of 3~ U.S.C. lll(b) P~vvisional application Serial No. 60/004,061 filed S~lc~b6l 20, 1995, and entitled ~thet~.c and Meth(~ Detecting Thermal Discrep~nrie~ in Blood Vessels.

BACKGRC)UND OF T~ INVENTION
This invention was made with ~ ,vf..-...P!nt support under Grant No. 91HL07 awarded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Tnctitute, giving the federal government certain rights in the invention. In addition, the invention described herein was made in the pt;~ru-l~lance of work under a NASA contract and is subject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat. 435; 42 U.S.C. 2457).

A. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the medical ~ii~nosic and treatment of arterial disease by means of temperature dirrel~nLial sçn.cin~, and particularly, infrared-sensing with devices such as temperature probes, cameras, and cd~ . In particular, the invention provides c~hetl~r,s and methods of using c~th~ters to ~1i~nr)se arterial diseases detectable by ther nal discle~,A~ s in the arterial wall.
B. Description of the ~elated Art Problems In Diagnosis Plaque Physiology Atherosclerotic colonal~ artery disease is the leading cause of death in imlll~tri~li7ed c~l-ntries An atherosclerotic plaque is a thi~ n-~d drea in the wall of an artery. Typically, patients who have died of cofonaly disease may exhibit as many as several dozen at-h-erosclerotic plaques; however, in most in.ctanr~c of myocardial infarction, cardiaG arrest, or stroke, it is found that only one of these potential obstructions has, in fact, ruptured, fissured, or ulcerated. The rupture, fissure, or ulcer causec a large lhlo~ s (blood clot) to form on the inside of the artery, which may completely occlude the flow of blood through the artery, thereby injuring the heart or brain. A major prognostic and ~ gm)5tic dilennm~ for the car~liolc~ist is how to predict which placque is about to rupture.

CA 0223l425 1998-03-09 W O 97/10748 PCTrUS96/15217 Most ~ uled plaques are characterized by a large pool of cholesterol or necrotic debris and a thin fibrous cap with a dense infiltration of macro~ ages. The release of matrix-digesting enzymes by the cells is thought to coullil)ul~ to plaque rupture. Other thromboses are found on non-l.-yluled but infl~nP~i plaque surfaces.
Tnfl~mm~tion in an arterial plaque is the result of a series of biorh~micz~l and m~h~nic~l changes in the arterial wall. Plague, a thirk~nir~ in the arterial vessel wall results from the ~cum~ fion of cholesterol, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, secretion of a collagenous extracellular matrix by the cells, and ar~J~ iorl of Illac~ ages and, eventually, hemorrhage (bleeding), thrombosis (clotting) and r~1cifir~fiQn The consensus theory is that atherosclerotic plaque develops as a result of irritation or biorh~nnic~l damage of the endothelial cells.
The endothelial cells which line the interior of the vessel prevent h~a~ iate formation of blood clots and inhibit conl.~.,lion and proliferation of the underlying smooth muscle cells. Most investigators believe that atherosclerotic plaques can develop when endothelial cells are damaged or dysfunctional. Dy~rullclion in enrlothe~ cells is typically produced as a result of injury by cigarette smoke, high serum cholesterol (especially oxidized low density lipopl~,lei~l), hemodynamic alterations (such as those found at vessel branch points), some viruses (herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus) or bacteria (e.g., Chlamydia), hypertension, some hormonal factors in the plasma (inrll.~ling angiotensisn II, norepinephrine), and other factors as yet unknown. As a result of these gradual injuries to the enr3othe~ cells, an atherosclerotic plaque may grow slowly over many years. However, it is now well do~ d that if a plaque l~ ules, it often grows abl.. l,~ly.
When plaque rupture develops, there is hemorrhage into the plaque through the fissure where the surface of the plaque meets the bloodstream. Blood co~ f~s (forms a lhIOIII~ S) quickly upon contact with the collagen and lipid of the plaque. This blood clot may fhen grow to completely occlude the vessel or it may remain only partially occlusive. In the latter case, the new clot quite commonly becomes incorporated into the wall of the plaque, creating a larger plaque.

Plaques At Risk of R~."t~.l ;..~
Considerable evidence indic~~c that plaque rupture triggers 60% to 70% of fatal myocardial il.r~-;~iOI~s and that monocyte~ ac~phage~ contribute to rupture by releasing metall<,~ro~ Q ~e.g., coll~ ses, stromelysin) which can degrade and thereby weaken the overly fibrous cap. Van der Wal, et al., Circulation 89:3644 (1994); Nikkari, et al., Circulat~on 92:1393-1398 (19g5); Falk, et al., Circulation 92:2033-20335 (1995); Shah, et al., Circulation244 (19gS); I~avies, et al., Br Heart J 53:363-373 (1985); Co~ , J Athero~cler Res 6:1-17 (1966). In another 25% to 30% of fatal infarctions, the plaque does not rupture, but beneath the lIJI~O~I)U~ the endothelium is replaced by monocytes and infl,~,.--.-~1O~y cells. Van der Wal, et al., W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 Cireulation 89:36~4 (1994); Farb, et al., Circulation 92:1701-1709 (1995). These cells may both respond to and aggravate intimal injury, pro,lloli"g ~Illollll)osis and vasoconstriction. Baju, et al., Cireulation 89:503-505 (1994).
Ullro~Lul~alely~ neither plaque rupture nor plaque erosion is predicable by clinical means.
Soluble markers (P-selectin, von Willebrand factor, angiotensen-converting enzyme, C-reactive - protein, D-dimer; Ikeda, et al., Cireulation 92:1~i93-1696 (1995); Merlini, et al., Cireulation 90:61-8 (1994); Berk, et al., Am J Cardiol 65:168-172 (1990)) and ~ livaled circulating i,.n~.. ~l.. ,y cells are found in patients with unstable angina pectoris, but it is not yet known whether these s~bstAnr~oc predict infarction or death. M~7one, et al., Cireulation 88:358-363 (1993). It is known, however, that the presence of such sllhst~nces cannot be used to locate the involved lesion.
~ow-shear regions opposite flow dividers are more likely to develop atherosc1erosis, (Ku, et al., Arterioselerosis 5:292-302 (1985)), but most patients who deve}op acute myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death have not had prior ~ylll~LonlS, much less an angiogram. Farb, et al., Cireulation 92: 1701-1709 (199S).
Certain angiographic data has revealed that an irregular plaque profile is a fairly specific, though in~c~n~citive~ indicator of thrombosis. Kaski, et al., Cireulation 92:2058-2065 (1995). These st~noses are likely to progress to complete occtusion, while less severe st.onoses are equally likely to progress, but less often to the point of complete occlusion. ~ n ~n, et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 22: 1141-1154 (1993). However, because hemodynAmi.~Ally non~i~nifi~Ant st~nosp-s more nu.~lt;.ou~
than critical sLenoses and have not triggered collateral development, those which do dbluplly occlude actually account for most myocardial infarctions. Ambrose, et al., J Am cOn Cardiol I2:56-62 (1988); Little, et al., Cireulation 78:1157-1166 (1988).
Moreover, in postmortem studies, most occlusive thrombi are found over a ~u~lured or ulcerated plaque that is e<~ .A~ed to have produced a stenosis of less than 50% in ~ , . Shah, et al., Cireulation 244 (1995). Such stennse~ are not likely to cause angina or a positive treadmill test. ~In fact, most patients who die of myocardial infarction do not have three-vessel disease or severe left ventricular dy~fi...~ lion ) Farb, et al., Cireulation 92: 1701-1709 (1995).
In the vast ~llajoliLy of plaques causing a stenosis less than or equal to 50%, the surface outline is llnifornl, but the deep sl-u-,lure is highly variable and does not correlate directly with either the size of the plaque or the severity of the stenosis. Pa~L~;kalllP, et al., Circulation 91:1~1'11 1449 (199~); Mann and Davies Cireulation 94:928-931 (1996~.
Certain studies have been con~ ted to d.3L~"..i-le the ability to identify plaques likely to rupture using i.,Llaco.ol~y ull-~o~l~d. It is known that (1) angiography under~ s the extent of COl~ uy atherosclerosis, (2) high echo~ensity usually in-1ic~t~s dense fibrous tissue, (3) low CA 02231425 l998-03-09 W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 echo-density is a feature of helllor.llage, thrombosis, or cholesterol, and (4) shadowing inrlic~c ~:~lçifi-~tion Yock, etal., Cardio 11-14(1994); McPerhson, etal., NEnglJMed316:304-309 (1987). However, recent studies indicate that intra-vascular ultrasound technology currently cannot disc.i."il-dl~ between table and unstable plaque. De Feyter, et al., Circulanon 92:140.3-1413 (1995~.
The rupture process is not completely l-n~ rstood, but it is known that the plaques most likely to rupture are those that have both a thin collagen cap (fibrous scar) and a point of physical w. l-nP,s~ in the underlying plaque. It is known that plaques with infl -nPd surfaces or a high density of activated macfo~ ag~s and a thin uve-lyil-g cap are at risk of thrombosis. Van der Wa1, et al., Cir~ 7tron 89:3644 (1994); Shah, et al., Circulation 244 (1995); Davies, et al., Br Heart J 53:363-373 (1985); Farb, et al., Circulation 92:1701-1709 (199~;); Van Damme, et al., Cardiovasc Pathol 3:9-17 (1994). Such points are thought to be located (as determined by modeling studies and pathologic analysis) at junctures where pools of cholesterol meet a more cellular and fi1orous part of the plaque. Typically, macrophages (infl~ "~ cells)~ which produce heat, have been found at these junctures. Since these infl~ u.ly cells release enzymes capable of degrading the collagen and other components of the extr~r~ r matrix, it is thought that they are crucial to the process of plaque rupture or fissuring.

Tr~ V~r~-lo~
T.. n~ ;on also plays an i.. ~,o- I.a ~ role in the rejection of tr~nt~pl ~nted organs, a process which begins by an attack of host T Iymphocytes in the grafted donor organ's endothelial cells.
Yeung et al. J. Heart Lung Transplant. 14:S215-220 (1995); Pucci et al. J. Heart Transplant.
9:339-45 (1990); Crisp et al. J. HeartLung Transplant. 13:1381-1392(1994). Recruitment and prolir~;l on of i,.ni... .. ~0.~ and smooth muscle cells are heat gcn.~aLing processes, whose effects are dt;l~,L~le in advance of the detection of vessel nal.owil,g using stress tests, ultrasound, or angiography. Johnson et al. J. Am. cOn~ Cardiol. 17: 449-57 (191); St. Goar et al. Circulation 85:979- 987 (1992). In addition to the host attack of "non-self" antigens of the donor organs, many trqnspl~nted tissues develop cytomegalovirus i"r.~Lioll~., an event that is also heat-gene,aLi-,g.
Grattan et al. JAMA 261:3~61-3566 (1989). 'Ihese events in transplant physiology are ones for which it would be valuable to track in patients recovering from such surgery.

r~F't~tn~
Another serious problem in ~ gnostic cardiology is rf~st~nosi~, a rel~ owi.lg of an artery that has undergone one or more interventional te~hniqll~s to relieve an original stenosis (caused by 3~ plaque) . Such te~ hnique$ include balloon angioplasty, athe, e~;Lor"y (shaving or cutting the plaque), W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 and laser angioplasty. Balloon ~lgiupl&sLy of the cO.Olld~ arteries is a major advance in lrec.~l..en~
and has been pel~ulllled on hemodynqtnir~lly ~5ignifir~lt colon~r stenoses (those that are 70% to g9% of the cross-section~ di ~ P- of the vessel) with a success rate of 90%. In about 40% of the patients, however, r~ .o~;~ occurs in the vessel and most of the benefit gained by the procedure is lost. Thus, another major tii~nostic and prognostic dilemma for cardiologists not readily addressed by prior art devices or mPtholl~ is predicting which patients will develop re~steno,Sic, }~Pstenr~s;~ may occur when the removal of plaque by angioplasty or atherectomy injures the artery wall. The injury to the vessel wall causes the smooth muscle cells at that site to proliferate and to secrete an r~rtrarr~ r matrix which again narrows the artery. Both cell proliferation and secretion are exergonic (heat-generating~ processes. Additionally, it is known that ,na.;luphage conce,l~,d~ion in a vessel is correlated to the risk of restenosis.Many factors have been reported to predict which patients will develop rest~nosi~.
However, these studies are markedly at odds with each other and no factor has been strongly predictive of the resten~ C process. Thus, cigarette smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, unstable angina, age, sex, and many other factors have been only weakly predictive, at best.

Prior Art Devices/Methods A number of a~l)roaches and devices have been proposed to ~ gnose or treat vascular obstructions. U.S. Patent No. 3,866,599 relates to a fiberoptic catheter for insertion into the cardiovascular system for the nledsulel"elll of oxygen in blood. For the purpose of detecting o,.yge~dtion levels in the blood, optical fibers are used to first project infra-red and red light at the catheter tip into the blood. The infra-red and red light reflected by the blood is then returned through the optical fibers to an o~hl-.t~.. The ratio of infra-red light reflected to that absorbed by the blood is piûpûllional to the oxygen saturation in the blood. This catheter design is also one wherein there is at the distal end of the element a recess preventing the ends of the fibers from CO,.~ g the vessel wall and an exterior sleeve which can be expanded to further space the fibers from the wall of the vessel. However, the fiberoptic catheter of this patent does not permit d~ ;lion of heat.
In some prior art devices, temperature sensing elements have been used. U.S. Patent No.
4,î52,141 relates to r~belu~lic sensing of ~ ,.dlul-~ and/or other physical p~aul~lt;l~ using a system c~ ing (1) an optical fiber (2) means ;~r~ i"$~ a source of visible or near visible cle~ Llu..~ tic radiation pulses at one end of the fiber for directing the radiation along the fiber to another end of the fiber (3) a sensor positioned at or near the end of the fiber in a manner to receive the r~r~ m, mS)ri~ te it by the telllpeldule, and redirect the modulated radiation back s CA 0223l425 l998-03-09 W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 through the optical fiber to the sensor (4) the sensor colllp.isil.g at least one optical element in the path of the source of radiation whose optical properties vary in rt;sl?onse to the m~gnihl-le of temperature changes and (S) means positioned at the end of the fiber ~eceivillg the mo~ ted ladidlion for mea~ul h.g a filnrtion related to the time of the resulting IllminP-scçnt radiation i~ .Si~y S decay after an eY~it: ~ion pulse in-liç~ting the le ~ ,ralul,3 of the sensor. These l~lllp~.àlu~e sensors were dPcignP~l to physically contact a surface and were built with an elastomeric bul,.,l~lce at the end of the fiber to which a thin layer of phosphor material had been deposited. The phocrhor reacts to the lell~c~dtul~e and emits radiation which travels up the fiber and is detecte~l by the sensor. Contact lem~,.alu..z ~ ;OIl.c require the ability of the c~theter to be placed in contact with the locus whose I~ Jt;ldtul~ is to be l.. e~-,.. ied.
U.S. Patent No. 4,986,671 relates to a fiber optic probe with a single sensor formed by a elastomeric lens coated with a light reflective and temperature dependent material over which is coated a layer of material that is al~sc,ll,Live of infrared radiation thereby allowing a determination Of rh~a-~-i5~ics of heat or heat transfer. One application is in a catheter for providing pleS.7uie, flow and Lel-lpe.dture of the blood in a blood vessel.
Other methods utili7ing differing means for heat detection are known. The sensitivity and/or toxicity of these devices is unknown. U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,393 relates to the use of birefring~l.e.lL material as a temperature probe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,566 suggests the use of the Jeldtule dependent light absorption characteristics of gallium arsenide for a temperature sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,927 relates to a gaseous material having a L~ e.àLuie dependent light absorption.
Other approaches utilize eYrit~tion tP~hniques to detect heat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,493 relates to the use of a IllminP-~cPnt material as a temperature sensor, exciting radiation of one wavelength range being passed along the optical fiber from the l..e~,u.;llg i,..,L-ul,.~.ll, and I~ .d~ure dependent lllminpscpnt radiation being emitt_d from the sensor back along the COI~ ..;f '~ optical fiber for detection and ~---,a;,urt;..le--L by the i"~,LIull.e..L. It is the lllminPscPnt sensor terhnology which has found the greatest collullercial applicability in fiber optic ,u~wl~el~l~" ~ lal ily for reasons of stability, wide temperature range, ability to minimi7e the effect of non~ e.d1ule light variations, small sensor size and the like.
An example of a lnminPcc~Pnt fiberoptic probe that c m be used to measure the velocity of fluid flow, among other related parameters, is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,929. Infrared radiation is directed to the sensor along the optical fiber and is absorbed by a layer of material provided for that purpose. Once heated, tne sensor is then allowed to be cooled by a flow of fluid, such cooling being ll.~-,..red by the IllminP-sce~t sensor. The rate of cooling is proportional to the heat transfer chala~ ,lics and flow of the ~u~ ulldhlg liquid.

W O 97/10748 PCTrUS96/15217 U.S. Patent No. 4,995,398 relates to the use of thermography during the course of by-pass heart surgery for the purpose of checking the success of the operation before closing the chest cavity. This patent d~c~ s the use of a s~ ~ g thermal camera, image procP~ing, ~ el alule dirrert;llLidls and displaying images in real time. The invention relies on the use of a cold injectate which when it mixes with warmer blood provides images captured on a thermal camera focusing - on the heart to detect sten-)s~-~ at the sites of distal ~ u~ ses.
U.S. Patent No. 5,046,501 relates to a method of identifying atherosclerotic plaque versus structurally viable tissues using a fluore~ beam at a single eYcit~tion wavelength of between 350 and 390 mn p~e~dbly from a laser which allows dirrt;lel.lid~ion of these tissues. No catheter was used in the examples of the patent. Thus, in situ imaging is not disclosed or taught by this patent.
Moreover, no te~hnique is described by this patent for predicting plaque rupture, r~t~no~i~ or tr~nsrl~nt vasculopathy.
U.S. Patent No. 5,057,105 relates to a hot tip catheter assembly comprising a heater, a cap, a thermocouple, power leads, and a central distal lumen to position the catheter in the artery. The thermocouple is in~ (led to continuously monitor the heating of the catheter tip in order to prevent overhe ~ing The tip when p~ûl)e.ly placed on a plaque build up, melts the plaque.
U.S . Patent No. 5,109,859 relates to ulll~uulld guided laser angioplasty Co~ g a laser at the tip of a catheter, an ull~asùu~d device also at the tip of the laser for gl-id~lre, and a proximal occlusion balloon to provide stabilization and a blood free envirulL,llelll. This patent a~pdl elllly also relates to ~ ;.. g the mass of a plaque tissue. There is no te~rhing that the ultrasound device of the patent can distinguish histological features (i. e., what cel~s and extr~rçllnl~r matrix are within the plaque). Thus, it is not likely that such a device could be used to predict plaque rupture.
Indeed, recent studies have found that intravascular ul~la~ound cannot identify which plaques are at risk of lU~lULillg. de Feytia Circulation 92:1408-13 (1995).
U.S . Patent No . 5,217,456 relates to an intra-vascular guidewire-colll~a1ible catheter which has a source of i11l..~.;.. ~iO.l and a ~yn~.hrolluus rluoresct;llce detector. Light in a wavelength that ;nduces fluorescence in tissues ~ . radially from an aperture on the side of the catheter.
Fluorescence emitted from the tissues enters the catheter through the same aperture and is conveyed to a spectral allaly~t;.. This h~ru~ a~ion can be used to dirr~,L~ iate healthy tissue from atherosclerotic plaque. However, this device does not distinguish between plaque on the basis of heat ~lirre~ lLial.
U.S. Patent No. S,275,594 relates to methods and ~pa.dlus for ~ ";~hing between atherosclerotic plaque and normal tissue by analy~illg photoPmi~ion~ from a target site. The system inrl~ r5 a source of laser energy for stim~ tiQn of fluorescence by non-calcified versus r~leified atherosclerotic plaque, and an analyzing means for d~ llh~ g whether a spectrum of W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 fluorescence emitted by a tissue leyies~L~ calcified or non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque at a target site, based upon the time domain signal of calcium photoemission following fluorescent eY. itq-ti-)n of the cq1~ m When atherosclerotic plaque is identified, laser energy is used to ablate the plaque.
Prior art a~yroa~ hG5 to intravascular arterial ~ ..o~.~ and repair have been numerous yet have failed to provide certain capabilities. In particular, such prior art c ~ r~.~ and methods have failed to provide means for detecting and treating atherosclerotic plaque since they have not been able to differentiate between those plaques at risk of lU~JIUlillg and ocr1u(ling and those that are not presently at such risk even if they are capable of d~ .g the presence or absence of calcification of the plaque. Similarly, prior art approaches have not provided effective means for identifying specific arterial sites at risk for arterial rectenosi~ after angioplasty or atherecL~)nly.
Prior art apLloaclles have also failed to provide practical and effective means for detecting tr~n~ q-nt vasculopathy. Neither have prior art approaches been able to effectively identify patients who have arterial wall areas of lower rather than higher temperature, such as areas of extensive scarring, lipid pools where there is no cellular infiltration, or areas of hemorrhage and thrombosis which have yet to be coloni~d by infl- ~--.. l~ly cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention o~,~;rco",es at least some of the failures of the prior art by providing an infrared-sensing catheter for dçtecting heat-producing infl~ u~y cells and vessel wall cells, and thus predicting the behavior of injured blood vessels in medical patients. The catheters and m~tho-l~ of the present invention provide effective means for det~cting and treating atherosclerotic plaque which is capable of dirrt;lG-.~i .I;,~g between, among other pathologies, those plaques at risk of luyluLillg and occh~ling and those that are not presently at risk. The calllelGrs and methods of 2~ the present invention also provide effective means for idenLiryi"g specific arterial sites at risk for arterial ~ si~ after angioplasty or athe.e.;lol,-y, or which patients are at risk due to vasculopathy, or tissue rejection. The C,dtLe~l~ and m~hotl~ of the present invention also are capable of t;rÇe;elively idt;~lliryhlg patients who have arterial wall areas of 11n--~uq11y low ~ y~ u~e and which represent p-~iously nn~letect~l arterial at-risk areas-just as excess heat can identify regions at risk due to inflqmmqtion, sub-normal heat (areas cooler than the rest of a vessel) intlic~tes a lack of actively metabolizing healthy cells (since heat in the body results from actively metabolizing cells) . Non-cellular areas are typically regions of he",u, .I,age, tbrombosis, cholesterol pools, or calcium--a11 inflirqtf rs of high risk plaques. The invention's devices and methods achieve these ends by idt;~liryh,g and analyzing thermal discrepqn~ies in the wall le:lllyelalult: of blood vessels.

The invention in one regard relates to ~l~pa.~.Lus for analyzing optical radiation of a vessel.
In another regard, the invention relates to methods for analyzing optical radiation, which methods are best prt:~elably achieved using the al~paldLuS of the invention.
Optical radiation of particular interest in the invention is that radiation which falls in the S optical ~ ull~ in the wavelength interval from about 2-14 ~m. An d1L.à.,Live feature of infrared is its peu. ~ ion through calcium (relative to white light and ultrasound). Benaron, et al., J Clin Monit 11:109-117 (199~).
The vessels of particular interest in the invention are those vessels where the access to a surface of which is problematic. Thus, where the internal ~ mPt~-r of a vessel is too small for ready access by a trarlition~l temperature probe ~i.e., a contact thermometer or t'nermocouple), the a~)~aldt.US and mP~thods of the invention will find utility. Similarly where the vessel, while of sl~fflriently large internal ~ mPtPr for access by a I~ aLule probe, has one or others of its openings naLrowed, occluded or otherwise blocked, the a~dldlus and methods of the invention will f~d utility. Thus, of particular interest in application of the a~)paldtUS and methods of the invention are vessels of the body, including vessels circulating and transporting sera (i.e. blood) such as arteries, veins, sinuses, heart cavities and chambers.
The invention relates to a~p~dlUs and methods in which there is at least one optical fiber used which is capable of l~ ".ill ;l~ optical radiation from a distal end of the fiber, usually inside a vessel, to a p.~,.i--.al end of the fiber, usually outside the vessel. Optical fibers of the invention wili exhibit certain key pal~l~et~ related to their ability to llansl--il wavelengths in the region of 2-14 ~m. These key parameters include optical lral~ar~l~y, flexibility and strength. The optical fibers of the hl~e.llio.l are those which may be extruded in ultrathin di:~mPtPrs and which Llal~u,il over the a~p.ol).idle infra-red spectral region. The infrared fiberoptic can be constructed from a variety of ~ .sl~ ., known to those of skill in the art such as ;circol3illlll fluoride (ZrF4), silica, 2~ or chalcogenide (AsSeTe). ZrF4 fibers are well suited to the apl)a~alus and mPtho-~ of the invention because such fibers have >90% l-"~ ion capabilities over 1 meter for small mPSerS.
The optical fibers useful in the a~alàlu~ and methods of the invention will also be ones capable of pl~i-emPnt proximate to a locus of a wall of the vessel being invectig~t~d This criterion ~0 is achieved in part by the flexibility of the fiber optic. In additional part, this criterion is met by the Ullldt~ nature of the .li ~ . of tbe fiber optic.
The ~a alu~ and mPtho-1s of the invention also utilize a balloon which encases a distal end of the fiber. The balloon, in one embodiment, may be one which is transparent to the optical radiation of interest. In that in~t~n~e, optical radiation ori~in~ting outside the balloon is ~
through the outer surface of the balloon to the inner surface of the balloon and on to the entry point WO 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 for optical radiation into the optical fiber. It is hnpolL~lL~ in this emborlimPnt, for tbere to be little if any absorption, reflection or other diversion of the optical radiation ~~ g from the source (i.e., the vessel wall, a locus such as a plaque locus) during its Ll~ iQI~ through the surfaces of the balloon. Such ull~.al~ed absorption may be caused by blood or other body fluids.
Therefore, Llal~yale~ for l,u,L,oscs of the ill~e.llioll means an ability to Llal~lllil ~ui~Lal~Lially all optical radiation from a particular source through the balloon surfaces to the optical fiber.
It is important, in this embodiment, for there to be ~I,sl~u1;~11y total conduction of the heat, while having s~,bsl nl~ lly no loss of the heat e~ ; llg from the source (i.e., the vessel wall, a locus such as a plaque IOCUS) as it contacts the outer surface of the balloon. Therefore, opacity (opaque) for purposes of the invention means an ability to absorb ~ubsl~lially all optical radiation from a particular source on the outer balloon surface. Thereafter, the inner surface of the balloon will re-emit a propo.Lional amount of radiation to that absorbed on the outer surface imm~i:ltPly adjacentthelocusol;gi.,-~i..gtheradiation. Thisre-emittedradiationwillbedetectablebythefiber optic system encased inside the balloon.
The ~pdlalu~ and mPtho-l~ of the invention also utilize a detector capable of detecting a difference in the optical radiation of interest, between the locus and the average optical radiation along the vessel wall being inve~tig?~P~1 In certain preferred embodiments, the detector of the invention is one which has a sensitivity capable of detection of differences in infra-red radiation as small as 50 ~mK, and in the range of lO to lO0 ~mK.
Where the balloon is one which is Llal~Jalc;llL to the radiation directly emitted from the locus or from the vessel wall po-lious outside the specific locus, the detector will be one capable of cletecting the radiation which is ~ d through the balloon's outer and inner surfaces.
Where the balloon is one which is opaque to the radiation directly emitted from the locus or from the vessel wall portions outside the specific locus, the detector will be one capable of cletecting the radiation which is re-emitted from the balloon's inner surface opposite the balloon's outer surface which is directly in contact with the locus.
In p-~re--ed embo~1imPnt~ the alJ~ald~Us and methods of the invention will rely on detection of optical ladia~ion in the infra-red radiation ranges. In particular, as noted above, ranges of 2-14 micru,l.~ are of particular interest in the ..~)p~alus and mPt~o-l~ of the invention. Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that it is possible to plot curves for radiation (-lulllbel~ of photons x l x 10l7~ being emitted by black bodies held at differing con~ temperatures ~T~, T2 and T3 each refer to temperatures in the range of 300-310 ~K which vary from one another increasingly by l ~K) in ~e wavelength range of 3 up to 6 micrometers. It can also be seen in ~e inset to Fig. 2, that in the range of ay~ ly 5.3 to 5.6 micfol..~;~e.;" black bodies held at co~
lell.~ el~lul~,s in the range of 300-310 ~K and dirr~ g from one another by only a single degree, appear as easily ~lietin~-ieh~71e curve segm~nt~> emitting photons from these black bodies in the range of appro~Yim~fely 0.21 x 10'7 to 0.40 x 10l7 photons. Thus, it is preferred to select a wavelength for s~mplin~ the r~ tion from the wall and specific locus on the wall of a vessel which will provide similarly fiietin~-i~h~llle curves.
In certain pr~e.rcd embodimPnt~, the ~alatus and methof~e of the invention may comprise at least two fibers, alllllJU~ the use of greater than two fibers is clearly possible where merited, such as when detection along the axis of the vessel is p.t:Çelled at greater than a single position ~imlllt~n~ously. In other preferred embo~lim~ntc~ where at least two fibers are utilized, at least one of the fibers is a reference fiber and another of the fibers is a signal fiber. The signal fiber is a fiber d~-ei~n~d to transmit all optical radiation focused into its length from its distal end to its proximal end. Conversely, the r~l~r~.~ce fiber is a fiber which is used as a control against which the signal fiber L~ ions may be co,l,p,ifed. Thus, where optical radiation exiting the pro~Lill,al end of the signal fiber is colll~aL~d to that exiting the p~ illlal end of the fcrel~nce fiber, a d~ ;on can be readily made as to relative a~ ull~ of optical radiation exiting the signal fiber which is due to other than optical radiation emitted by the locus of interest.
The a~ ,aidtus of the invention may also be optically connect~d at the distal end of the signal fiber to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to said distal end, and on into said flber. U.S. Patent Application No. 08/434,477 in which certain of the present i~ ol~ are named co-illvellLol~, and which is incorporated herein by lt;r~nce, describes such an optically reflective surface. As opposed to the signai fiber, the r~relcllce fiber will typically be coated on its distal end with a material that ;~ 5~ y plC~V~;llL:i optical radiation from~ E it.
The a~pald~Us of the invention is also one in which the inner surface of the opaque ocrlu~1ing balloon emits a black body spectrum modulated by the tr~n~mi~sion spectrum of the balloon. The balloon, upon infl~fion, will s~b~ ly limit flow of fluids within the vessel. The flow limif~firtn n~luil~l iS one in which only so much flow occurs as will not cause a rise or fall in average ba~ ulld IR radiation along the vessel wall imm~ f~ly distal the inflated balloon.
In ~-lition in ~ ,relied embo~lin~Pn~, fhe a~ala~us of the invention is one where the balloon, upon infl~fion, substantially eYrh~d~Ps the presence of i~ l vesicular fluids between the fibers inside the balloon and the wall of the vessel most pl~ llale to the test locus.
In use, the alJpàLdus of the invention will be placed along an axis of the vessel. in this manner, it will be possible to bring the ~ii~nostic fiber array into close pru~ y with âlOcus to be tli~gl~ose~l In certain pl~rt;lled embo~limPnf~, the locus will be one which contains plaque. In particular, the a~aLalus as previously noted will be useful in ~leteeting among those plaques with which it is brought into pru~inlily, whether a given plaque is one at risk of rupluring. In most W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 in~t~n~.c, the dp~ aLuS of the invention will be used to ~ nose thermal disc~ cies on the interior wall of a vessel.
The a~pa,d~us of the invention is in its most plert;LL~d embodiments a catheter. Typical of catheters used inside of blood vessels, the catheter of the invention will be one ~lesign~d for use with a guidewire. The guidewire will allow optional removal and lei-.seLLioll at the discretion of the surgeon, for example where after ~ g~G~ g a plaque at risk of rupturing using the catheter of the invention, the surgeon may wish to bring another flia~osti~ device or a Ll.~aL,eulic device such as â laser into the same position next to the problematic plaque.
The ~)I)drd~U~7 of the invention is also one where the detector is pl~f~,lal~ly optically co~ ed to a pLOAilllal end of the fiber, and if there is more than one fiber, to a proAi".al end of each of the fibers. In pl~Çelled embo(1imPnt~, ~e detector will be a multi-wavelength radiometer.
Such a radiometer will p~ al)ly be a spinning circular variable filter whose IL~ C~iC~iQn wavelength is a function of its angle of rotation. In such a filter, it is possib1e to prevent ~L ~ iC;.il~n of all but a narrow band of wavelengths of light by adjusting the rotational angle.
1~ Sâid differently, such a filter can be made to be Lial,~L,al~"l to highly selected wavelengths by its rotational Ch~a~ Lics. Thus, in certain embo(lim~m~, the filter will be one ll~l~a el~L to radiation with a wavelength of a~)lJroAillla~ely between 2 to 6 micrometers. In highly preferred embo~im~nt~thefllterwillbel~ aLellltor~ ionwithawavelengthofay~ y3miclolllel~
One of the keys to this invention as it relates to the ~i)a,alu~, is that it au~ aLically provides a rt;l~rence for each s~e~ ulll by s~mrling apl)roxi.. ~1ely 3 ,um. For the range of Lenly~làlures t,.yecled in biological Olgalli~ll~, 300-310 ~K, the blackbody spectrum at this waYelength iS ~ enti~lly the satne. This provides a zero for each signal and locks down the low wavelength side of the signal. Without this, there would be no way to flt a signal to a blackbody s~e~ ulll since the vertical scale would be "unfixed".
Where the al)paldlus of the invention utili_es the IIA ~ i h~""~.lion from more than one fiber ~rough a filter for colllyald~i~e pu~yoses~ it will be ~,~re..~d to utili_e an offset in the distal ffber ends. Thus, where the distal ends of the signal fiber and the reference ftber are offset from one another, the offset will be at a distance sllfflri~nt to allow sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass the filter at a s~lbst~r~ti~lly i-l~nti~ l location on the filter.
The a~pa,d~us of the i,-ve"lion when used in conjull~lion with a radiometer, will p.crtLdl)ly be one optically CO'"~f .,~ed to at least one photoelectric device capable of converting the tr~mmitte i radiation into an electtical signal. The photoelectric device is plere,ably one electri~ ly connected to a device capable of digiti7ing the electrical signal (a digitizer).
Once the ay~ald~US of the invention has created a ~ligiti7ed signal, the digiti7ed signal is m ~hem~icsllly fitted to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at temr~ , between a~ c;ly 300-310~ K. The curves of the contro}led black bodies are those plotted as llul"l,e~i, of photons emitted from each black body for each wavelengths. In ...,i where such a ~ligiti~ed signal is to be used to ~liagn(!se thermal discrep~nciPs in the interior wall of a blood vessel, the particular selection of black body control curves will be made with the knowledge of typical ttilllpt;l-l~U-~ of the human body.
Thus, in a p-~r~lled embodiment, tbe dppa alui~7 of the invention will be a catheter for analyzing infra-red radiation of a blood vessel. Such a ~ r~ L. ed device will C~lu~ e at least two fibers capable of ll ~~ the radiation and capable of pl~rPmPnt along an axis of the vessel pl~,~hllale to a plaque-co.~ locus of an interior wall of the vessel. At leas~ one of the fibers will be a reference fiber coated on its distal end with a material that i7uh'~ y prevents optical radiation from entering it, and at least one of the other of the fibers will be a signal fiber whose distal end is optically connected to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to its distal end into and along its shaft. Such a pr~rt;l I ~d device will also have a balloon ~ the distal ends of each of the fibers, which balloon upon inflation will 1~ 7~lbs~ ;Ally limit the flow of fluids within the blood vessel. In addition, the balloon will ~.~I,s~ lly exclude fluids between the fibers and the wall of the vessel most pl~JAilllaLe to the locus to be tested. The balloon will be l,a,.s~art;-,t to or opaque to the radiation arising inside the vessel and will have an inner surface exhibiting spatially constant optical radiation emissivity. This inner surface of the opaque balloon will be one which emits a black body spectrum. The catheter will be one having a guidewire. It will also have a detector, optically connected to a proximal end of each of the fibers, and capable of detecting a dir~-el ce in the radiation between the locus and average optical .adidtioll along the wall of the vessel. The detector will further comprise a multi-wavelength radi- : with a spinning circular variable filter, the filter being such that its n;~ ;on wavelength is a fi-n~tion of its angle of rotation. The distal ends of the fibers will be offset from one another a distance sufficient to allow sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass the filter at a s~bst~nti~lly identic~l position on the filter. Further, the radiometer will be optically conl-~ ed to at least one photoelectric device capable of converting the Ll.~ ~l and iiltered radiation into an electrical signal, which signal is capable of being l~igiti7Pd, and which digi~i7ed signal is ".~ lly fitted to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at tempc.~-Lurcs between dp~ro,~ ,dtely 300-310Q K, where ~e curves are plotted as .Ul~C.i, of photons emitted from each of the black bodies for each of the wa~ ,g~
The invention also relates to an analytical method, suitable in certain embodiments for nosing medical conditions. Thus, the invention relates to a method for analyzing optical ~adidlioll of a locus in a vessel wall. The method of the invention con.~ ~s placing at least one 3~ optical fiber capable of L~ ; radiation proximate to the locus. In p~re,1~;d embo~lim~nti, W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 the pl~c~mPnt of the fiber and balloon is accomplished by catheterization. Either prior to or after pl:~emPnt p,~o~il.ldle to the locus to be analyzed, a balloon ~n~ ing a distal end of the fiber is inflated within the vessel to cause the balloon to limit flow of fluids within the vessel. As previously detailed, the balloon is L~ ,a~ to or opaque to the thermal radiation and has an inner S surface ~AhibiLil-g spatially CO~ optical radiation emissivity. The mP~o~s of the invention further call for ~ li..g the radiation along the fiber to a detector capable of detectin~ a difference in the radiation between the locus and the average optical radiation along the vessel wall.
More specifically, the h.~/e lli.Jn relates to a method of det~ctin plaque at risk of lu~ulhlg along a blood vessel. This p-~,R.r~ method COIl~ ,~, inserting a guidewire into the blood vessel to be di~gnosed and then catheterizing the vessel along the guidewire with at least two fibers capable of l~ h~g infra-red radiation along an axis of the vessel plo)ici"~ale to a plaque-ccll~ainillg locus of an interior wall of the vessel. Thereafter, the steps of the method of the invention is carried out as described above.
The invention also relates to a method of surgically treating a patient with a plurality of plaque loci within a vessel. Such a method co~"~ es de~e""i~ g which one or more of the plurality of plaque loci has a l~.llpC,~Ule elevated above that of the average vessel wall temperature. Once such a dt,lt;""i"dion is made, the surgeon removes or reduces the plaque loci found to have an elevated temperature. This method has as its determin~tion step the methods described above for analyzing optical radiation of plaque locus in a vessel wall. Once plaque at risk is i~ntifieA, a number of therapies may be used to reduce the risk.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to identify patients who have COIondl~y atherosclerotic plaque at risk of rupture by ide~lliryillg the specific plaque(s) at risk. Another object of the present invention is to identify patients at risk for arterial restenosis after angioplasty or ~ ' e,~u",y by idc.kiryh~g the specific arterial site(s) at risk. A further object of the present invention is to identify patients at risk of tr~n~pl~nt vasculopathy. Another object is to identify patients at risk for stroke, loss of mobility, and other illn~Ps by identifying sites of potential plaque rupture in the carotid arteries, the i"~,ace,eblal arteries, the aorta, and the iliac and femoral arteries. Another object of the present invention is to identify patients who have arterial areas of lower rather than higher temperature, such as an area of extensive scarring, a lipid pool with no cellular infiltration, or an area of hh~ l.~e and thrombosis which has yet to be colonized by ;..n~ ,t ,. ~ cells. The ~lelinp ~ion of a cholesterol pool is useful in following the regression of plaques. Idell~iryillg such areas for follow-up study will localize those likely to be infl~mp~d in the future.
Yet another object of the present invention is to deliver specific local therapy to the injured areas i~lPntifiP~ by the catheter. These therapies include, but are not limited to, therapies which W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 prevent or limit infl~lTnm~tiQn (~ ui~ tt~hmPnt activation, and proliferation of inflz..,...!~'ofy cells), smooth muscle cell prolile.d~ioll, or endothelial cell infection, including antibodies~ ro~ g growth factor-~ (TGF-,~)~ nitric oxide (NO), NO synthase, glucocorticoids, u~ r~r~ll gamma, and heparan and heparin sulfate proteoglycans, and the various comple-l,e"L
DNAs that encode them.
The il~v~ ion's mPth()fl~ and devices will have a number of utilities. Each will reduce morbidity and mortality from ~.vnaly and carotid artery atherosclerosis. Each will reduce the in~i~ence of restenosis and thus the need for ~ ed~ed angioplasties or athtrt;.,k)lllies Each will also reduce the inri(lRnce of vasculopathy in organ-tr~n~pl~nt patients. In turn, these outcomes will produce the benefits of better health care, improved public health, and reduced health care costs.
These and other uses of the present invention will become clearer with the detailed description to follow.

~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a srhP,m~tic represRnt~tion of the dpp~alus of the present invention with its infra-red detection unit at its pro~ al end and the sensor tipped distal end of the catheter as well as the guide wire disposed within a flexible outer catheter (not shown) which ~u-- ~unds the optical fibers.
Figure 2 is a black body curve sl,e.;~lunl for temperatures T1, T2, and T3 (differing sP~ Pnti~lly by a single degree Kelvin) plotted as emitted radiation in photons (xlE17) versus wavelength (micrometers).
Figure 3 is a length-wise cross serti-)n~l view of the catheter tip of Figure 1 in place within a blood vessel near a plaque at risk of rupture.
Figure 4(a) is a graph depicting surface temperature of living carotid artery plaque in relation to cell density. Relative cell density equals the ratio of cell density in the area of interest to that of the bacLg~u..d area. Tt:~-yeLaLure me~..-~ ~--e -l~ were made at room temperature (20~C) on 24 samples from 22 patients 10-15 minutes after removal. Point >(O~C difference in l~---L,e a~ure) represents 27 observations.
Figure 4(b) shows the correlation between living human carotid plaque temperature and cell density when l--~.l-~ed in a 37 ~C chamber.
Figure 5 is a graph depicting plaque surface temperature as a function of cap thiclrn~c~.
Samples that had a non-infl~rnPd fibrous cap were subjected to pl~nimP~ry to measure distance from the 5umen to the center of the underlying cell cluster.

_ W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 Figure 6 shows the correlation between thermistor and IR camera mea7ulcllle~ 7 in living human carotid plaque specimens (freshly excised, in a 37 ~C chamber) where r--0.9885 and p=
0.0001.
Figure 7 shows the coll~-,ldLioll of IR radiation with cell density in the specimens described in Fig. 6, above.

DESCRIPI'ION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The ~thPt~r ~.~ ~d:ment Referring now to the figures, F~g. 1 shows a plt;r~ d embodiment of the ~pàraluS of the invention in use. A catheter ai)pa.dLus 10 is shown, which can be placed inside an artery (not shown) having with an interior arterial wall ~not shown) which possesses a plurality of plaque loci (not shown). The risk of rupture of either of the plaque loci is unknown until the methods and a~Jpalalus of the invention are applied.
Guidewire 20 has been surgically inserted into the artery and can be seen to extend both pro"imally 22 and distally 24. Guidewire 2Q can also be seen to proceed through catheter a~J~alaLu~7 10. Guidewire 20 is used to guide the pl~ om~nt of catheter al)~ala~us 10 to the area of the artery which contains plaque loci.
Catheter a~paldLus 10 Coll~ s at its distal end (the end farthest from the detector~ an inflatable balloon 40, a signal fiber 50, and a reference fiber 60. Inflatable balloon 40 is shown in its inflated state, which would cause it to rest firmly against an interior wall of an artery and against plaque loci. Depending upon the natural direction of blood flow within the artery, infl~tion of balloon 40 would sllb~t~nti~lly limit flow of blood either at position 32 or 34 or any of the similar points around the p~;~h~ e~ of the generally circular series of contact points between the balloon wall 42 and an interior artery wall, allowing n~ear,~ ,e~, being conducted by catheter apparatus 10 to proceed without i-ll~r~l~llce.
Balloon 40 coll,~,i,es a wall 42 which is made of an elastic material. The perimeters of balloon 40 are such that inflation causes sealing or closure of the balloon 40 at points along the arterial wall. When defl~t~A> balloon 40 retreats from its contact of the arterial wall, allowing reestablichmPnt of natural blood flow within the artery, and allowing facile movement of catheter a~aldtllS 10 in the artery to a next position, for instance to a position at which catheter apparatus 10 may be used to measure radiation emitted from another plaque locus. Activation of infl~tion/deflation of balloon 40 may be accomplished in any of a nurnber of ways known well to those of skill in the art of building angioplasty or embolectomy ç~the5er~ or balloon-tipped c~'~h~t~,r,~, The purpose of balloon 40 is to avoid problems associated with absorption of infra-red radiation by water between the source of infra-red radiation being med~ult;d and the distal catheter portion. Upon infl~tion and contact of the artery wall, the balloon wall 42 ~.. PS the lel"pe~ ule of the portions of the artery with which it is most p,~ The void area 46 excludes all water between the balloon wall interior and the distal signal fiber tip S6.
Signal fiber ~0 has a tr~n~ nt tip region S2 and an opaque body region 54 which is capable or incapable, respectively, of l-n~ ;u~ infra-red radiation efficiently. Opaque body region S4 may be a region in which signal fiber 50 is covered over by a rl~ 1ing or sleeve 56 which causes the region to become opaque and inrar~ e of efflciently t.~ ii.g or absorbing infra-red radiation. Tr~n~ cPnt region 52 may simply be an area in which signal fiber 50 is exposed. Signal fiber 50 is an optical fiber which can efficiently l,a,l;,lllit infra-red radiation. In order to collect such radiation from the surrounding milieu, signal fiber S0 may be fitted or otherwise used at its distal end with a collecting device 58 which focuses the infra-red r;ldi;ltion of the .,ulruulldillg milieu into the fiber for subsequent ~ sulission.
Unlike signal fiber 50, reference fiber 60 has no translucent region. Rather, reference fiber 60 has an opaque end C2 and an opaque region 64, both of which are incapable of ~ ;.lg infra-red radiation efflciently. As with the signal fiber 50, reference fiber 60, opaque region 64 may be a region in which r~r~-ellce fiber C0 is covered over by a c~ ing or sleeve 66 which causes the region to become opaque and incapable of effic;~ntly tran~mitting or absorbing infra-red r~fli~ti--n Opaque end 62 may be an area in which ~el~l~nce fiber 60 is coated with an infra-red reflective coating such as polished silver or alul..;.--~... In all other regards, r~r~ iellce fiber 60 is idl~ntic~l to signal fiber 50 in its ability to f~lnction as an optical fiber which can çfflcipntly lla~ lliL
infra-red radiation. It may be used, therefore, to set a baseline in order to compensate for any t~ .a~ule profile along signal fiber 50 from its distal to its prt~ lal end. As shown in Flg. 1, ,t;rele,lce fiber C0 is offset from signal fiber 50 in the proximal direction. This offset ~which can be equally well ~ccompli~hf~ by offsçtting distally) physically introduces a time delay between the radiation received and l,D .~ d by each fiber. As will be fli~cnc~ed immf~ t~ly below, this time delay is introduced in order to ensure that the signal and reference beams issuing from the pLox.i ends of each fiber strike the filter on the same spatial portion. By doing so, it is possible to rlimin~t~ ~lignm~nt problems or bandpass ~ imil~rites arising from a multi-filter system.
When in operation, the fiber-balloon array 70 collects therînal radiation which is ~,~ . .~, . .i proximally through signal fiber 50 and ler~rence fiber 60. Both fibers are positioneci to L~
through spinning ,~ if).~ er 80 at i-lçntir~l radial position 82 to impinge on ~ ;ti7~rs 92 or 90, respectively. Once a digiti7f~ signal is g~ 1 from each of the optical fiber ~ s;on~, the bac~ ulld signal created by the ~t:r~,ellce fiber 60 is subtracted by cc)~ u~ef 94 from the digiti7p~d s~gn~ t~ ed by the signal fiber 50. The resulting adjusted signal is m~thpm~ltir~lly fitted by CO~ )ulei 94 to a spe ~ of blaclc body curves 96 in order to ascertain the temperature of the particular locus.

Cnt~ ~' C~ .
Several options for materials for the other various con~one"L~ of the catheter devices described herein exist. The key parameters for the optical components are optical llal-i7~.,.1C~, flexibility and strength. Materials such as high strength polyester and polyethylene terephth ~late (PET) are very clear and easily extruded in ultrathin wall sizes. A high strength braided polyester is useful for ~ twisting motions over long rli~t~nr~Ps as may be required in certain emb~flimPnt~. Spacers/bearings can be made from Teflon~. The overall flexibility of the catheter will be appl~ Ply the same as similar-sized cardiovascular laser, fiberoptic, angioplasty and athere.ilu...;,il.g cathP~tp-r~. These devices should therefore be deliverable to small tli meter coronary arteries. A detector will be positioned at the proximal end of the catheter (outside the patient) utilizing InSb or, alternatively, ~IgCdTe, TeO2 or TAS detection systems.
The elongated flexible fiberoptic element will be connected at one end to an optical con.~ or through a ptol~,livt~ sheath. The optical connector is a standard item adapted to be slidably inserted into a thermal detector, and will include a plurality of openings in one side through which fluids or gases, int.h~-1;..g air, can be introduced into the catheter and emitted the.erlu---. The co ~ :,r will also include a coupling element for co~-~-e~li.. g to a plès~ult;
tr~n~lucPr to measure pl~;,.-le, there being an opening in the connector comm~lnirating with the coupling element and the pl'cssule lumen of the catheter. The coupling element may also be cullllel_led to a syringe to take a blood sample or to use a saline solution to flush the catheter.
The materials of which catheters are con~Llu.led may be any of those commonly used, inrh~-ling flexible plastics such as nylon, TeflonTM, vinyls such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polyethylene, or various rubber compounds. Typically, the catheter will typically be 5 to 40 inches long and have an outer ~ m~t~Pr of about 1 to 2 millinA~ptprs~ The lumen inside the catheter can vary but typically will be about one half to 1 millimPter in ~ mPtçr.
The ",i..i...."" detectible heat dirrelelllial using the devices and materials of the present invention will be about 0.1 ~C. While the devices of the invention will be capable of finer thermal dis~ iol- biological variables are apt to introduce noise into the system. In most in~t~n.~ec, plaques which are in danger of rupturing will vary from those less at risk by at least 1.5~C.

CA Ot23l425 lsss-03-os Wo 97/10748 PCT/USg6/15217 At-Risk Pla~ue Generally then, as an overview of the device and method of the invention in Fig. 3, the infrared-sensing catheter 100 has identifiçd an ulcerated atherosclerotic p1aque 102 which is ac~~ ied by platelet ag2;-~alion 103 and vasoconstriction 104. Because of the presence of S ;.. rl "",~ cells 105 in this plaque 102, its temperature is higher than that of the immeAi~t~ly - ~c~nt vessel 107, and this change is sensed by tbe catheter 100. Some endothelial cells 108 have been lost (as a result of S~ ~P~f-~ e, infl~mm~ti~n, infarction, toxins, or balloon injury) causing platelets 109 to become aclivd~ed and to adhere to the damaged vessel wall 110. The activated platelets 109 release ~ that cause vasoconstriction, platelet ~g~sl~alion, and growth of smooth muscle cells; these mediators include ADP, se~ul(~llirl, thromboxane A2, platelet-derived growth factor, t~dnsrol-llillg growth factor-P., and PF4. The exposure of subendothelial collagen 111 and lipid 112 and the activation of platelets L/lvlllol~ el~yll~dlic activation of coagulation enzymes, which result in the rele~e of plasma mitogens and the activation of thrombin, an enzyme which cleaves fibrinogen to form fibrin. The c~lmin~tion of this process may be complete occlusion of the artery and consequent injury to the heart (or brain, in the case of a carotid, ve.t~.dl or cerebral artery).
Also shown is a monocyte 114, which has attached itself to adhesion molecules on the surface of activated endothelial cells. The monocyte becomes a macrophage involved in uptake of mo~lifieA cholesterol and the release, as by-products, of mitogens and proteolytic e~yllles that may prolnoLe rupture.

FY~m~?le I:
M~ o.ls Fi*y carotid elldall~reclollly spcc;..-e~-s were studied in the living state a*er gross inspection by a pathologist. Visible thrombi, noted in about 30% of the specim~n~ were typically removed by gentle irrigation, suggesting that they were surgical artifacts. The in~lic~tiQns for surgery were generally a carotid stenosis and LI~Sic.lt i~chemic attack or stroke.
Twenty-four spccilllells ~rom 22 patients were ~Y~minerl at room temperature (20~ C).
Another 26 specimens from 26 patients were ~ A in a hnmitlified incubator at 37~ C.
Within 15 minutes after removal of a specim~n~ a Cole-Parmer model 8402-20 thellllistor with a 24-gauge needle tip (accuracy, 0.1~ C: time cQn~tant 0.15) was used to measure the ~ e,a~uit~ of tile luminal surface in 20 locations. Temperatures were reproducible (+0.1~ C), and most r~ e.nell~ were found to be within 0.2~ C of each other and thus were desi~n~te~l as the bac~ uld temperature.

W O 97/10748 PCT~US96/15217 In most plaques, several locations with higher temperature were all found. The~se locations and the bachg-ound temperatures were marked with indelible ink of varying colors (recorded, but not coded so as to indicate the temperature to the pathologist) and re-measured to assure reproducibility. Tissues were then fixed in 10% formalin and cut le~Lhwise, embedded to reveal the intima and media, processed for histology, and stained with ht;ll.dlu~ylin and eosin or Masson's trichrome, or imm--n~st~in~d for ",a~ l~ophages using the HAM-56 and KP-1 antibodies '~Dako) as previously de~scribed. Nilckari, et al., Circulation 92:1393-1398 (1995). The cap thi('lrnP~5 and the cell density in a 300 x 400-,um region beneath the dyed regions was measured using a M~lrint~h Centris 650 and NIH Image software (version 1.43), available on the Internet from the National Tn~ s of Health, T'~ethP,~s-~ Maryland.
Preliminary ~A~ illlellL~ were also pt;l~.llled with a Jet Propulsion Laboratory platinum silicide camera, which we further calibrated against a Mach 5 scanning infrared camera (Flexi-therm, Westbury, NY), - which in turn was calibrated against beakers of water at various temperatures from 0 to 100~ C with a near perfect correlation, y = .99x + .31, where x was the temperature n~easul~,d by Illel.;u,~ thellllo~ Lel . The camera had a thermal resolution of 0.10~ C
and a spatial resolution of 0.15 mm.

Results Plaques exhibited multiple regions in which surface tempe.dLules varied reproducibly by 0.2 to 0.3~ C (~ 1.0~ C), and 37% of the plaques had 1 to 5 s~lbst~nti~lly warmer (0.4 to 2.2~
C) regions per plaque. For in~t~n~e, in typical i..~ c~, regions 1 mm apart had a reproducible ~emp~alu~ lirr~ lellce of 0.6~ C. Although the lumenal surfaces of the plaques exhibited visible heterogeneity, dirr~,fcnces in te,,,perdLu,e were not ~palenl to the naked eye. These temperature dirr.,r-,nces correlated positively with the underlying density of cells (r = 0.68, p = 0.00~1) (Fig.
4A), most of which were UlollO~ e-~r cells with the morphologic characteristics and u~f.fea~liviLy (with HAM-56 and KP-1) of ma~ ")h~ges.
Several mitotic figures were noted. Some foam cells were noted, but regions preAo~ ly populated by foam cells were cooler (and had lower cell density) than regions with monom~cle:lr infiltrates. Many plaques contained a few Iymphocytes and mast cells.
Te",l)erdlule varied inversely with cap thickness (r = -0.38, p--0.0006) (Fig. 5). The best correlation (r = 0.74, p = 0.0009) was given by the theoretically expected e4u~.Lion ~T =
relative cell density . cap thi~n~. Cooler regions were non-cellular: fresh thromboses, h~...o~ ge, scar, f ~k~ m or regions of cholesterol pooling without infl~ illr,lllàLion.
The warmer regions were not visibly dirrert;lll on gross inspection, even though many of them had a su~,~.r,~ layer of infl~ cells, some of which had small agg.~;~ion~ of CA 0 2 2 3 1 4 2 S 1 9 9 8 - 0 3 - o s wo 97/10748 PCT/US96/1~217 platelets~ Other large areas were free of infl~.. ~lo. ~ cells but lacked endothelial cells. These had probably been denuded during surgery, since po~ e"~ studies usually show only focal dem~ tion unless there is thrombosis or inflamm~tiQn Van Damme, et al., Cardiovasc Pathol 3:9-~7 (1994)-A minority of plaques ~a~L~ ly 20%) exhibited no detectable thermal heterogeneity Regions of deep or superficial inflq~nn~atil~n in these spc~ ..e~ were not marked with dye, inr1ic~ting that the o~lyillg temperature had not been measured. In a few of the regions co,-lainil~g cellular il,r,l~ld ~ alul~ had been measured, and they were no warmer than less cellular ~dj~cent areas This finding was believed by the inventors to possibly reflect decreased metabolic activity in specimans that were kept at room temperature for a longer interval after removal.
Therefore, a second series of pla~ues was analyzed in a 37~ C incubator. These 26 specimens from 26 patients with a mean age of 68 (range, 50 to 86) revealed a considerably closer correlation with cell density (r = .68, p < 0.0001), more therrnal heterogeneity (93% of specimens~, and a wider range of temperatures, typically I to 3~ C; some specimens only 10 mm apart were characterized by temperature differences as great as 4 to 5~ C. See, Fig. 4B (points re~rese,-~ed by solid ~ tt~on~ls are the relative cell den~itiç~ divided by the cap thi~n~s~ squared;
linear regression of these points resulted in the solid line shown).
The inventors also studied several specimen~ using a pl~tinl~m silicide, cooled, infrared camera with a thermal r_solution of 0~1~ C and a spatial resolution of 0 1 mm~ This camera detectad thermal heterogeneity in ex vivo .cpec.tnan~ As shown in Fig. 6, the IR camera when used to identify thermally distinct plaque COilel~ d well with direct contact tht,~ o measur~ in freshly excised human carotid artery plaques specimens (r= 0.9885, p < 0.0001).
Fig. 7 shows that this correlation of the IR carnera "~ea~u,ed l~ IaluL~s was also observed with cell density med~ult;llle.l~ It is noted by the inventors that cooled staring array carneras have even better tbermal resolution, and spatial resolutions are as low as 10 ~m.

r~
Most human carotid athereclc,llly specimens contain foci of increased heat ~pa e.llly produced by underlying cells, most of which are lllacLopl~âges. When studied at 37~ C, the ternperature variation was greater than 20~ C, consislel.~ with reduced metabolic activity at 20~ C
that makes th~e plaques more homogeneous in temperature.
In the samples studied at body temperature, a thlormi~tor with a l-rnm tip was able to detect difr~e~ces as great as 4~ C within difr~ parts of the same plaque that were only 10 mm apart.
Temperatures were highest when the cells were closest to the probe (i.e., at or just beneath the CA 02231425 1998-03-og lumen itself). Most of the lumenal sur~aces of the plaques had several regions characterized by superficial infl~mm~tion and en-lothi~ 1 den~ Qn.
Only some areas of surface infl~mm~tion were associated with visible thrombosis; most were associated with mic~uscol,ic thrombosis (e.g., a few fibrin strands and ~tt~rhe1 platelets) or none at all. These results suggest that i-.we~sed plaque heat is an indicator of plaques that are den~ ed and infl~tned and con~e.l~,e~.lly at risk of thrombosis.
The hl~e.~ , also found a few hot regions associated with foci of infl~tnm~tion just beneath thin but intact caps. Since these pla~ues are believed to be at increased risk of rupture, it is believed by the inventors that m~suli--g plaque temperature in vivo could enable one to identify such plaques.

F~ d~ )le II:
Li~ t~ of the Study A potential co--~under i(l~ntifi~d by the inventors is plaque angiogenesis (neovascularization3. T~e inventors studied living plaques ex vivo. In vivo, the presence and tone of the vasae vasorum might influen~e the temperature. However, since plaque angiogenesis correlates with infl~.. lion~ (Nikkari, et al., Circulation 92:1393-1398 (199S) and both are considered risk factors for plaque rupture, it is likely that temperature will still be predictive in vivo.
The inventors also believe that one must consider that what is true for atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid arteries may not be true in other sites, for example, the COI~Jnaly arteries. The pathology of the plaque is sollle~lldl different in the two locations. (Van Danune, et al., Cardiovasc Pathol 3 :9-17 (1994)) and the ris~ factors are also different. Kannel, J Cardiovasc ~isk 1:333-339 (1994); Sharrett, et al., Arterioscler Ihromb 14:1098-1104 (1994).
F~amrl~
F'ul --1 of Sp~l,n~ ~p~, Tomography, and I~ .f~
Infrared specL-~oscuL~ could prove useful in several ways. Pirst, it should be able to corroborate the location of l-.acro~)hdg~s by the massive ~mf)l-nt~ of nitric oxide they produce, since nitric oxide has a Ch~delt~ liC near-infrared ~ue~llu,--. Ohdan, et al., ~ransplantation 57:1674-1677 (1994). Near-infrared imaging of cholesterol has already been de .lon~lld~ed~ Cassis, et al., Anal Chem 65:1247-1256 (1993). Second, since infrared and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate tissue more deeply as wavelength increases, longer wavelengths should reveal metabolic activity in deeper (0.1- to 1-mm) regions.

WO 97/10748 PCT~US96/~5217 This rh~nl~nlRnnn could be used to develop co~ uled infrared tomography, possibly in conjùn~,Lion with inl~r~,rulllctry, in which an incident beam is split by a moving mirror to produce a rerelt;,-ce beam and a beam that is variably scattered and absorbed by the tissue The nonsyncbronous reflected wavelengths are reco~ d to reveal sLLu~,lulal detail with 20-f~m resolution. Benaron, et al., Science 259: 1463-1466 (1993); Brezinski, et al., Circulation 92: 1 -149 (1995).

I~ample IV:
Non;.~ D~ ~f~ of Plaques at Risk Alleln~lliv~&, to infrared dete~ti(~n are also desirable since infrared abso,~lio", convection, and tissue emissivity differences are likely to preclude non-invasive infrared tomography. Such alLe~l~aLives include imaging the infl~mm~tnry cells with gallillm (P~,~e,h~,-;~, et al., Circulatton 91: 1444-1449 (1995)) l8FDG positron sc~nnin~, radiolabeled anti-macrophage antibody fr~mPn~c, or m~n~tic resonance (to take advantage of ~e ~ ;?t~ ul e-depP,n~lP-nce of proton-spin relaxation).
MacFall, et al., Int J Hyperthermia 11:73-86 (1995).
These te~hniqllRs lack s~lffi~ient spatial resolution for detçcting infl;.,.~ "1f"y foci beneath the surface of moving col.)na.y arteries (particularly ci-~iu"~llex and distal vessels) and carmot be used 'on line' to direct plaque-specific interventional therapies. However, the resolution in these techni~uç,c may be a~eq~3tP in tnick-walled, relatively stationary arteries such as the aorta, carotid 2() and femoral arteries. Toussaint, et la., Arterioscler Ihromb Vas Biol 15:1533-1542 (1995);
Skinner, et al., Nature M~ in~ 1:69 (1995). If lumenal infl~mm~ti-~n can be ~ l,ed from adv~-,lilial infl~lnm~ti~)n~ the latter may prove useful in predicting progression of aortic aneurysms.

F-a~ V:
Therapeutic ~
Lc.~eri-,g serum cholesterol COI~fe-11~ onC by means of diet or drugs can reduce mortality, perhaps because reverse cholesterol LldU~I~ulL reduces the size of the lipid core. However, the most convincing trial to date indi ~ only a 35% decrease in coronary mortality with cholesterol-lowering t'nerapy (and little benefit in women). Scandinavian Simv~tatin Survival Study Group, Lancet 344:1383-1389 (1994). This finding suggests that other factors, such as hRrn~st~tic v~ri~ble,~, are ~rre~ g mortality. However, even with the same patient, plaques progress or regress relatively independently. Gould, Circulation 90:1558-1571 (1~94). This variability suggests that lesion-specific variables (for example, stenosis length, surface thrombosis, low shear stress due to low or turbulent flow, and vasoconsl-i~;lion) increase the risk of thrombosis.

CA 02231425 lsss-03-os Wo 97/10748 PCT/US96/15217 derrn~n, et al., J Am CoU Cardiol 22:1141-1154 (1993); Nobuyoshi, et la., J Am Coll C~rdiol 18:904-910 (1991).
If hot plaques producing stçnos~ in the "non-critical"' range of 10% to 70% are shown to be at high risk of rupture, should they undergo angiopl~ty? If the risk of dilation is similar to that of more severe st~nose~ xi.. ~,ly 1 % mortality, 2 % aorto-corunaly bypass), what is the benefit of collv~,lLing an unstable lesion into one with a 70% chance of long-term patency and a 30% chance of ,~.,t~ -~osis? Even before the recent trials in~lic~tin~ that stents reduce ,~ ..osis rates to 10% to 20%, the large Emory follow-up in~lic~ed an i~entic~l 96% five-year survival rate in patients with and without l~n~ , despite the increased need for repeat angioplasty or bypass surgery in the former group. These data suggest that angioplasty could be bqn~ if the near-term risk of sudden (spontaneous) occlusion is only about 5%.

FY5~ ?1e VI:
Medical Therapies Medical therapies would depend, in part, on whether the infl~mm~ti-)n is on the surface or beneath an intact cap. This ~ n may one day be made by angioscopy (especially with the use of light e ..i~ antibod;es) or by s~mplin~ blood for soluble markers of infl~mmqtjon (P-selectin, VCAM-l, and others). Magn~tic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and near-infrared imaging may also prove helpful.
Therapies might include local delivery of agents (peptides, peptide mimçtiç~, oligonucleotides, and others) that prevent monocyte ~ ui~ ent, ~t~rhm~nt activation, or DNA
synthesis. Conversely, Collagen synthesis might be stim~l d with ascorbic acid or tl~ lllh~g growth factor ,~ (which also acts to inhibit angiogenesis, infl~.. ~l;on, and smooth muscle proliferation in most models, though it can also provoke infl~mm~ion in non-infl~rned tissue and delay endothelial regeneration). Nathan, et al., J Cell Bol 113:981-986 (1991). Endothelial regeneration can be ~nh~nred by basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor or by vascular endothelial growth factor, among others. C~c~cell~, Circulation 91:2699-2702 (1995).
In SU~ living human carotid atherosclerotic plaques exhibit thermal micro-het~,lug,~nt;ily attributable mainly to nla~ ages at or near the lumen. These regions of illclGdsed temperature can be i-1~ntifi~ by t~.c.,llisk~l~ and infrared thermography. If hot plaques are indeed at high risk of thrombosis (or restenosis (Gertz, et al., Circulation 92:1-293 (l99S); Moreno, et al., Circulation 92:1-161 ~1995)) or-in the case of adventitial infl~mm~tion~of ant;ul~ ,al rupture, it may be possible to develop catheter-based and noninvasive means of imaging and treating these potentially life-llllGa~nhlg lesions. These technûlogies might also be used to detect subepithelial W O 97J10748 PCT~US96/1~217 clusters of ;nn;~ n~l~, or m~ n~nt cells in other organs by m ~letic resonance imaging or by endoscopy, oph/~ ..oscopy, laparoscopy, artherusc~y, or transcranial imaging.

* * * * * * * *

The present invention has been described in terms of particular emboriimPnt~ found or proposed to conll)rise ~r~r~ modes for the practice of the invention. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the present ~ los~re, nunlerolls mc clifirqfinns and changes can be made in the particular embo~im~nt~ e~YPrnriifi~l without departing ~om the intçnfled scope of the invention. For example, while the present invention has been supported by examples in ~e biomedical arts, the ~alus and methods of the invention may be equally well applied to the analysis of wall we~k..~es of any vessel so long as such we~knesses exhibit or can be made to exhibit ~lirre~ .lial heating. Thus, m~nm~-1e vessels such as conduit, if heated externally may be subjected to internal analysis using the a~ald~us and methods of the invention. All such mo~lifi~inns are intçn~ed to be in~luded within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (56)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for analyzing optical radiation of a vessel, comprising:
at least one fiber capable of transmitting said radiation and capable of placement proximate to a locus of a wall of said vessel;
a balloon encasing a distal end of said fiber;
said balloon, transparent to said radiation or opaque to said radiation, and having a black inner surface; and, a detector capable of detecting a difference in said radiation between said locus and average optical radiation along said vessel wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said optical radiation is infra-red radiation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vessel is a blood vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least two fibers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of said fibers is a reference fiber and another of said fibers is a signal fiber.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said distal end of said signal fiber is optically connected to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to said distal end, into said fiber.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said reference fiber is coated on its distal end with a material that substantially prevents said optical radiation from entering said reference fiber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner surface of said opaque balloon emits a black body spectrum.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said balloon, upon inflation, substantially limits flow of fluids within said vessel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said balloon, upon inflation, substantially excludes said fluids between said fiber and said wall of said vessel most proximate to said locus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said placement is along an axis of said vessel.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locus contains plaque.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said plaque is at risk of rupturing, or at risk of thrombosis due to the presence of inflammatory cells on or beneath the luminal surface of said plaque.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wall is interior of said vessel.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a catheter.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guidewire.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector is optically connected to a proximal end of said fiber, and if more than one fiber, to a proximal end of each of said fibers.

18. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said detector further comprises a multi-wavelength radiometer.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said radiometer further comprises a spinning circular variable filter whose transmission wavelength is a function of its angle of rotation.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said filter is transparent to radiation with a wavelength of approximately between 2 to 14 micrometers.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said filter is transparent to radiation with a wavelength of approximately between 3 to 7 micrometers.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said distal ends of said signal fiber and said reference fiber are offset from one another a distance sufficient to allow sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass said filter at a substantially identical location on said filter.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said radiometer is optically connected to at least one photoelectric device capable of converting said radiation into an electrical signal.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said photoelectric device is electrically connected to a device capable of digitizing said electrical signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said digitized signal is mathematically fitted to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at temperatures betweenapproximately 300-310° K, said curves plotted as numbers of photons emitted from each of said black bodies for each of said wavelengths.

26. A catheter for analyzing infra-red radiation of a blood vessel, comprising:
at least two fibers capable of transmitting said radiation and capable of placement along an axis of said vessel proximate to a plaque-containing locus of an interior wall of said vessel;
wherein at least one of said fibers is a reference fiber coated on its distal end with a material that substantially prevents said optical radiation from entering said reference fiber; and, wherein at least one of the other of said fibers is a signal fiber whose distal end is optically connected to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to said distal end of said signal fiber, into said signal fiber;
a balloon encasing said distal ends of each of said fibers, and which balloon upon inflation substantially limits the flow of fluids within said vessel, and which balloon substantially excludes said fluids between said fibers and said wall of said vessel most proximate to said locus;
said balloon, transparent to said radiation, or opaque to said radiation and having an inner surface exhibiting spatially constant optical radiation emissivity, wherein said inner surface of said opaque balloon emits a black body spectrum;
a guidewire; and, a detector, optically connected to a proximal end of each of said fibers, capable of detecting a difference in said radiation between said locus and average optical radiation along said wall;
said detector further comprising a multi-wavelength radiometer with a spinning circular variable filter, said filter being such that its transmission wavelength is a function of its angle of rotation and is transparent to radiation with a wavelength of approximately 3 micrometers;

said distal ends of said fibers being offset from one another a distance sufficient to allow sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass said filter at a substantially identical position on said filter;
said radiometer optically connected to at least one photoelectric device capable of converting said radiation into an electrical signal, which signal is capable of being digitized, and which digitized signal is mathematically fitted to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at temperatures between approximately 300-310° K, said curves plotted as numbers of photons emitted from each of said black bodies for each of said wavelengths.

27. A method for analyzing optical radiation of a locus in a vessel wall, comprising:
placing at least one optical fiber, capable of transmitting said radiation, proximate to said locus;
inflating a balloon encasing a distal end of said fiber within said vessel to cause said balloon to limit flow of fluids within said vessel, said balloon being transparent to said radiation, or opaque to said radiation and having an inner surface exhibiting spatially constant optical radiation emissivity; and, transmitting said radiation along said fiber to a detector capable of detecting a difference in said radiation between said locus and average optical radiation along said vessel wall.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said optical radiation is infra-red radiation.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said vessel is a blood vessel.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising placing at least two fibers proximate to said locus.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least one of said fibers is a reference fiber and another of said fibers is a signal fiber.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said distal end of said signal fiber is optically connected to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to said distal end, into said fiber.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said reference fiber is coated on its distal end with a material that substantially prevents optical radiation from entering said reference fiber.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein said inner surface of said balloon emits a black body spectrum.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein said placement of said fiber is along an axis of said vessel.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein said locus contains plaque.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said plaque is at risk of rupturing or thrombosis.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein said wall is interior of said vessel.

39. The method of claim 27, wherein said placement of said fiber and said balloon is accomplished by catheterization.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said catheterization further comprises insertion of a guidewire.

41. The method of claim 27, wherein said detector is optically connected to a proximal end of said fiber, and if more than one fiber, to a proximal end of each of said fibers.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein said detection further comprises passing said radiation through a multi-wavelength radiometer.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said passing of said radiation through said radiometer further comprises spinning a circular variable filter whose transmission wavelength is a function of its angle of rotation, and passing said radiation through said spinning filter.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said filter is transparent to and is used to sample radiation with a wavelength of approximately between 2 to 14 micrometers.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said filter is transparent to and is used to sample radiation with a wavelength of approximately between 3 to 7 micrometers.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein said filter is transparent to and is used to sample radiation with a wavelength of approximately 3 micrometers.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising offsetting distal ends of said signal fiber and said reference fiber from one another a distance sufficient to allow said sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass said filter at a substantially identical location on said filter.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein detection is further accomplished by optically connecting said radiometer to at least one photoelectric device, and converting said radiation into an electrical signal.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said detection is further accomplished by digitizing said electrical signal.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein detection is further accomplished by mathematically fitting said digitized signal to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at temperatures between approximately 300-310° K, and plotting said curves as numbers of photons emitted from each of said black bodies for each of said wavelengths.

51. A method of detecting plaque at risk of rupturing along a blood vessel, comprising:
inserting a guidewire into said vessel;
catheterizing said vessel along said guidewire with at least two fibers capable of transmitting infra-red radiation along an axis of said vessel proximate to a plaque-containing locus of an interior wall of said vessel;
wherein at least one of said fibers is a reference fiber coated on its distal end with a material that substantially prevents said optical radiation from entering said reference fiber; and, wherein at least one of the other of said fibers is a signal fiber whose distal end is optically connected to an optically reflective surface capable of directing optical radiation arising radially to said distal end of said signal fiber, into said signal fiber;

inflating a balloon encasing said distal ends of each of said fibers, and which balloon upon inflation substantially limits the flow of fluids within said vessel, and which balloon substantially excludes said fluids between said fibers and said wall of said vessel most proximate to said locus;
said balloon, transparent to said infra-red radiation, or opaque to said infra-red radiation and having an inner surface exhibiting spatially constant optical radiation emissivity, wherein said inner surface of said opaque balloon emits a black body spectrum;
transmitting said infra-red radiation to a detector, optically connected to a proximal end of each of said fibers, capable of detecting a difference in said radiation between said locus and average optical radiation along said wall;
said detector further comprising a multi-wavelength radiometer with a spinning circular variable filter, said filter being such that its transmission wavelength is a function of its angle of rotation and is transparent to radiation with a wavelength of approximately 3 micrometers;
said distal ends of said fibers being offset from one another a distance sufficient to allow sampling of radiation emitted from either fiber to pass said filter at a substantially identical position on said filter;
said radiometer optically connected to at least one photoelectric device capable of converting said radiation into an electrical signal, which signal is capable of being digitized, and which digitized signal is mathematically fitted to a curve selected from a spectrum of curves for black bodies held at temperatures between approximately 300-310° K, said curves plotted as numbers of photons emitted from each of said black bodies for each of said wavelengths; and, determining if said plaque has a temperature elevated above that of said averagevessel wall temperature.

52. A method of surgically treating a patient with a plurality of plaque loci within a vessel of said patient, comprising:
determining which one or more of said plurality of plaque loci has a temperatureelevated above that of the average vessel wall temperature; and, removing or reducing plaque loci found to have said elevated temperature.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein said determination step is accomplished by analyzing optical radiation of said plaque locus in said vessel wall, comprising:
placing at least one fiber, capable of transmitting said radiation, proximate to said locus, initiating a balloon encasing a distal end of said fiber within said vessel to cause said balloon to limit flow of fluids within said vessel, said balloon being transparent to said radiation, or opaque to said radiation and having an inner surface exhibiting spatially constant optical radiation emissivity; and, transmitting said radiation along said fiber to a detector capable of detecting a difference in said radiation between said locus and average optical radiation along said vessel wall.

54. The use of the device of claim 1 in the method of claim 27.

55. The use of the device of claim 1 to detect inflammation in an organ, vessel, body cavity or opening.

56. The use of the device of claim 1 to detect the absence of living cells in an organ, vessel, body cavity or opening.