Importance

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Abstract

A catheter apparatus has an information detecting sensor which is capable of positively controlling an intended treatment effect at a selected position at which laser energy is irradiated, to treat conditions such as solidification or necrosis of tissue. The catheter apparatus comprises a rigid sheath formed to be safely inserted into a body cavity. A window is provided at the front end portion of the sheath to allow a movable sensor to be moved in or out through the window. A balloon means having an inflatable balloon is provided in the sheath adjacent to the sensor. The balloon means is secured to the sheath and is biased through an opening on the opposite side of the sheath toward an adjacent wall portion of the body cavity in a direction opposite to the side of the window when the balloon is inflated. The sensor is thereby projected through the window and is brought into close contact with a correspondingly adjacent portion of the cavity wall by a reaction force of the inflated balloon.

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First Claim