Method for assessing blood flow in vasculature

Abstract

Methods for assessing blood flow in vasculature in a portion of tissue in an animal may include administering a fluorescent dye to the animal such that the fluorescent dye enters the portion of tissue, exciting the fluorescent dye within the portion of tissue with a source of illumination such that the fluorescent dye emits radiation, capturing the radiation emitted by the fluorescent dye with a camera capable of capturing a series of angiographic images within the portion of tissue, and evaluating the series of angiographic images to assess blood flow in the vasculature in the tissue portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assessing blood flow in vasculature in a portion of tissue in an animal, comprising:
 administering a fluorescent dye to the animal such that the fluorescent dye enters the portion of tissue;   exciting the fluorescent dye within the portion of tissue with a source of illumination such that the fluorescent dye emits radiation;   capturing the radiation emitted by the fluorescent dye with a camera capable of capturing a series of angiographic images within the portion of tissue; and   evaluating the series of angiographic images to assess blood flow in the vasculature in the tissue portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the series of angiographic images include at least an image of a fluorescent wavefront corresponding to an interface between the flowing blood and the fluorescent dye in the vasculature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye is selected from the group consisting of tricarbocyanine dyes, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye is indocyanine green. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the series of angiographic images on a video monitor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the series of angiographic images with software installed on a computer terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising storing the series of angiographic images on a recordable medium. 
     
     
         8 . A method for assessing blood flow in vasculature in a portion of tissue in an animal, wherein said tissue portion is a candidate for an invasive procedure, is undergoing an invasive procedure, or has undergone an invasive procedure, comprising:
 administering a fluorescent dye to the animal such that the fluorescent dye enters the portion of tissue;   exciting the fluorescent dye within the portion of tissue with a source of illumination such that the fluorescent dye emits radiation;   capturing the radiation emitted by the fluorescent dye with a camera capable of capturing a series of angiographic images within the portion of tissue; and   evaluating the series of angiographic images to assess blood flow in the vasculature in the tissue portion, wherein said evaluation includes assessing the candidacy of said tissue portion for an invasive procedure or assessing the success of an invasive procedure.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the series of angiographic images include at least an image of a fluorescent wavefront corresponding to an interface between the flowing blood and the fluorescent dye in the vasculature. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluorescent dye is selected from the group consisting of tricarbocyanine dyes, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluorescent dye is indocyanine green. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising displaying the series of angiographic images on a video monitor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising analyzing the series of angiographic images with software installed on a computer terminal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising storing the series of angiographic images on a recordable medium. 
     
     
         15 . A method for assessing blood flow in vasculature in a portion of tissue in an animal, comprising:
 administering a fluorescent dye to the animal such that the fluorescent dye enters the portion of tissue;   exciting the fluorescent dye within the portion of tissue with a source of illumination such that the fluorescent dye emits radiation;   inserting an endoscope beneath the surface of the skin of the animal;   capturing the radiation emitted by the fluorescent dye with a camera capable of capturing a series of angiographic images within the portion of tissue, wherein said camera is in operable connection with the endoscope; and   evaluating the series of angiographic images to assess blood flow in the vasculature in the tissue portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fluorescent dye is indocyanine green. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising displaying the series of angiographic images on a video monitor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising analyzing the series of angiographic images with software installed on a computer terminal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising storing the series of angiographic images on a recordable medium. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein evaluating the series of angiographic images is practiced in connection with an invasive procedure performed on the animal to assess the success of the invasive procedure.