Importance

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Abstract

A method for removing a thrombus or plaque deposit from the wall of a blood vessel of a patient is enhanced by synergistic action of two individual procedures. A catheter is introduced into a blood vessel from which a thrombus or plaque deposit is to be removed. The first procedure is application of laser energy through an optical fiber in the catheter, in a wavelength range selected for preferred absorption by red blood cells in the blood vessel to generate a plasma-based ultrasonic shock wave in the vessel. The shock wave impacts on the thrombus or plaque deposit to open fissures therein. In the second procedure, a thrombus- or plaque-dissolving medication is injected into the blood stream in the vicinity of the plaque deposit through a lumen in the catheter, promptly after completion of the first procedure. The thrombus- or plaque-dissolving medication is used to penetrate into the fissures created in the thrombus or plaque deposit by the shock wave, to begin to break up or dissolve the thrombus or plaque of the deposit. Thereafter, the first and second procedures are repeated in the same sequence at least once, and preferably several times, to ultimately fragment the plaque deposit so that the fragments may be removed from the blood vessel through the channel in the catheter. The overall process, including several repetitions of the sequence of procedures, is carried out in about 10 minutes.

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First Claim