Laser angioplasty

Abstract

Abstract A laser therapy system (10) having improved effectiveness in surgical use, particularly in laser angioplasty, can be formed by employing a pulsed source of radiation. The pulsed energy source is preferably an excimer laser (14) having a coherent beam of ultraviolet radiation and preferably is employed in conjunction with a dye laser (20) to produce an output beam which is tunable over a wide portion of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. The output beam is coupled via a novel coupling device to an optical fiber (48) disposed within a surgical instrument, for example, a percutaneous catheter (80). The operative components are sealed in gas-tight, liquid-tight housing (12). An electronic controller (46) monitors and adjusts the output energy density, duration, and pulse repetition rate. In operation, a pulsed, high energy beam of extremely short duration is available to remove atherosclerotic plaque with less damage to the underlying tissue and less chance of perforating the blood vessel wall.

Inventors

• 👤 Richard H. Clarke
• 👤 David F. Muller

Bibliographic Details