Applications:
Many heart attacks and strokes originate from blockages created by arteriosclerosis, which is the aggressive accumulation of plaque (occlusion) in a major blood vessel. Arteriosclerosis causes a narrowing of the affected vessel, which can result in angina, coronary occlusion, or cardiac death.
Coronary heart disease can also be caused by so-called “vulnerable plaques” (“VP”). Unlike occlusive plaque, VP’s are embedded in the arterial wall and do not grow into the blood vessel. They tend to erode, creating a raw lipid pool below a thin, unstable fibrous cap, or scab. Since VP’s are contained within the vessel wall, they are not easily detectable, and are more dangerous than occlusive plaque.
MMS® has initiated development of a passive microwave radiometry system that can detect VP’s before they rupture. The radiometric sensor detects changes in the emissivity, or “brightness”, caused by inflammation and the change in tissue associated with VP. MMS®’ system may reveal VP’s at sub-surface locations in the vessel wall, without the need to actually be in contact with the vessel wall, and without any interruption of blood flow through the vessel itself.
A further objective of the system is to treat VP with targeted and controlled heating, once it has been identified.
The VP Detection System employs MMS®’ proprietary Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (“MMIC”) technology, which has been integrated into the Advanced Cardiac Therapeutic’s (“ACT”) TEMPASURE™ Cardiac Ablation System. TEMPASURE™ received CE Mark approval in June, 2011.
For more information, please contact info@mms-llc.com