Importance

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Abstract

This invention provides a light delivery catheter having a proximal shaft with two lumens and a distal shaft connected to the proximal shaft, which distal shaft has only a single lumen. A guidewire and a light guide are received in the first and second lumens resectively, of the proximal shaft, either of which may be extended into the single lumen of the distal shaft, the distal shaft being sufficiently flexible to facilitate movement of the catheter through tortuous paths. A hub is provided having ports through which appropriate fluids may be applied to the lumens. When used to remove a blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain or other part of the body, the guidewire is extended through the single lumen in the distal shaft and is utilized to guide the catheter adjacent the clot, at least one guidewire/light guide exchange being performed to ablate the clot. Alternatively, the catheter may initially be passed through the clot to the distal side thereof and the catheter retracted through the clot as light energy and contrast fluid are applied therethrough.

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First Claim