Laser angioplasty
US4862886A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1985 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/4297
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser therapy system having improved effectiveness in surgical use, particularly in laser angioplasty, can be formed by employing a pulsed source of radiation. The pulsed energy source is preferably an excimer laser having a coherent beam of ultraviolet radiation and preferably is employed in conjunction with a dye laser to produce an output beam which is tunable over a wide portion of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. The output beam is coupled via a novel coupling device to an optical fiber disposed within a surgical instrument, for example, a percutaneous catheter. The operative components are sealed in a gas-tight, liquid-tight housing. An electronic controller monitors and adjusts the output energy density, duration, and pulse repetition rate. In operation, a pulsed, high energy beam of extremely short duration is available to remove atherosclerotic plague with less damage to the underlying tissue and less chance of perforating the blood vessel wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.