Importance

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Abstract

A balloon dilatation catheter is disclosed which incorporates an elongate shaft which is at least partially optically transparent. The shaft includes an inflation lumen and a guide wire lumen extending therethrough in addition to an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end. The inflatable balloon may include a measuring index disposed thereon. The measuring index may comprise a plurality of longitudinally-spaced radial bands, a plurality of radially-spaced longitudinal bands, or a combination thereof. A method of using an angioscope in combination with a balloon catheter is also disclosed. The method involves inserting a balloon catheter with an optically transparent shaft section into a vascular lumen, inserting an angioscope into the balloon catheter, inflating the balloon on the balloon catheter, and measuring material characteristics of abnormal deposits therein. The material characteristics may be measured by the color of the abnormal deposit or the response of the abnormal deposit to inflation of the balloon.

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First Claim