Fibert optic guide wire and support catheter therefor
First Claim
1. A method of performing angioplasty in an intravascular area comprising the steps of:
- connecting a guide wire to a source of light energy;
ablating an occlusion in said intravascular area by delivering said light energy to said occlusion with said guide wire;
severing said guide wire to disconnect it from said source;
positioning a catheter proximate to said ablated occlusion with said guide wire; and
treating said occlusion with said catheter.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A guide wire for a catheter has a tubular portion with a flexible body fixed to its distal end. The distal end of the body may be composed of a radiopaque material. Optical fibers are disposed within the assembly and terminate in a radiopaque tip at the distal end of the body. The guide wire may have a longitudinal marker wire or mandrel for providing stiffness and radioscopic tracking characteristics, as well as providing torsional control and tip shaping capabilities. The guide wire has a proximal end attached to the tube and a distal end that also terminates in the tip. The wire may be maneuvered in a vascular area like a conventional guide wire and may be used in conjunction with a support catheter to increase its maneuverability. Then, laser energy is conveyed to the vascular area by the optical fibers to ablate an obstruction. The proximal end of the guide wire is then removed and a larger catheter may then be slid over the guide wire to continue the ablation operation. Employing plastic tubing, a wire coil, or a combination of these two for the distal body, the guide wire may be used in peripheral or coronary angioplasty applications. The guide wire may be used in conjunction with a support catheter which is used to direct the guide wire to a treatment site and provides improved tracking characteristics.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of performing angioplasty in an intravascular area comprising the steps of:
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connecting a guide wire to a source of light energy; ablating an occlusion in said intravascular area by delivering said light energy to said occlusion with said guide wire; severing said guide wire to disconnect it from said source; positioning a catheter proximate to said ablated occlusion with said guide wire; and treating said occlusion with said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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8. The method of 7 claim wherein said treating step comprises a step of loading said catheter on a proximal end of said guide wire.
Specification