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Abstract

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

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