公开(公告)号：WO1992007623A1

公开(公告)日：1992-05-14

申请号：PCT/US1991007474

申请日：1991-10-10

Applicant: C.R. BARD, INC.

Inventor： C.R. BARD, INC. ,  SINOFSKY, Edward ,  ANDRUS, W., Scott ,  MADDEN, Michael

IPC: A61N05/06

CPC classification number: A61B8/12 ,  A61B5/02007 ,  A61B8/0833 ,  A61B8/0858 ,  A61B8/445 ,  A61B8/4483 ,  A61B18/245 ,  A61B2017/00106

Abstract: Apparatus (14) for use in removing atherosclerotic plaque (10) deposits in a blood vessel (12) comprises a high power laser (42), an elongated, flexible catheter (18) adapted to be inserted into and advanced through the blood vessel (12), a plurality of circumferentially arrayed optical fibers (22) extending axially through the catheter, and an ultrasonic transducer (26) at the distal end of the catheter for transmitting acoustical energy toward a selected area of the inner surface of a blood vessel (12) in response to laser energy coupled through any one of the optical fibers (22) and impinging upon the transducer (26). A detector (32, 34, 36) proximal of the ultrasonic transducer is responsive to ultrasonic energy reflected from the blood vessel (12) and produces a signal indicative of the tissue interfaces of the blood vessel. Laser energy can be transmitted from the high power laser (42) through the same optical fiber used for the diagnostic procedure to ablate plaque in the blood vessel.