Method and apparatus for detecting vascular conditions with a catheter

1. A method comprising:

positioning a catheter within a patient's vasculature, wherein the catheter includes a thermal source and a thermal detector;

delivering thermal energy to the patient's vasculature from the thermal source;

making a plurality of temperature measurements near or at the thermal source using the thermal detector as the catheter is advanced through the patient's vasculature while delivering thermal energy; and

using the temperature measurements to determine the position of the catheter with respect to a blockage in the patient's vasculature.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering thermal energy to the patient's vasculature from the thermal source comprises delivering ultrasonic energy.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the temperature measurements on a display.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a medical treatment configured to reduce the blockage.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a medical treatment configured to reduce the blockage, wherein the medical treatment includes delivering ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound from the catheter to the patient's vasculature.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a medical treatment configured to reduce the blockage, wherein the medical treatment comprises deploying a clot capture device from the catheter.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy is being delivered while the catheter is advanced through the patient's vasculature.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the thermal energy is ultrasound energy.