Importance

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Abstract

A laser catheter for the treatment of lesions and plaque deposits in arteries and other narrow paths having a radiation assembly affixed to a flexible conduit. The conduit generally includes multiple lumens for the passage of an optical fiber, a guide wire, a cooling medium therethrough, or fluid for inflating an angioplasty balloon. The radiation assembly is of short longitudinal profile and includes a generally spherical laser contact member retained within a housing, the latter affixed to the flexible conduit. The radiation assembly provides a dual-mode ablation/melting treatment regime. A longitudinal channel is provided through and along one side of the contact member thereby to permit guide wire positioning of the laser catheter while routing the guide wire away from the laser energy to avoid damage thereto. A balloon, in fluid communication with a catheter lumen, may be positioned rearwardly of the radiation assembly for secondary balloon angioplasty operations.

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First Claim