Intravascular imaging detector

1. A method of localizing radiopharmaceutical markers in a body lumen, the method comprising:

advancing a detector array through the body lumen;

operating the detector array at a gross count rate; and

operating the detector array at a higher resolution imaging mode when a threshold count rate is detected.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein operating the detector array comprises summing all of the pixel responses in the detector array to obtain the gross count of the radiopharmaceutical markers.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the detector array provides a spatial resolution of one to three millimeters.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiopharmaceutical markers emit beta particles.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiopharmaceutical markers are bound to unstable plaque.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein advancing the detector array comprises advancing a catheter having the detector array on a distal portion of the catheter.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein advancing comprises moving the catheter over a guidewire through the body lumen.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising pressing the detector array against a body lumen wall during the higher resolution imaging mode.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the detector array is disposed on an inflatable balloon at a distal end of an intravascular catheter, wherein pressing comprises expanding the inflatable balloon.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the detector array comprises an array of semiconductor detectors.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the detector array comprises an ionization detector.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the detector array comprises a gas scintillator.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the detector array comprises a scintillator and an optical fiber.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the detector array comprises an imaging plate.