A computerized scanner to quantify atherosclerosis.
A method is described for the quantitation of atherosclerotic lesion after excision and staining of the vessel. Essentially the device consists of a microscope with a computer-controlled stage which moves a photographic negative image over a square beam (o.1 mm sides) of light. At each translation-step of the stage a transmittance reading is taken using a photomultiplier tube for detection. The computer stores topographical values (typically around 6,000) and, by setting a threshold, can determine the fractional area of artery which is diseased.
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