Probe-and-fire lasers

Patent · Tue Jul 28 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6383867

Mok, W Y.W.

This patent describes the method of destroying atheromatous plaque within an artery of a patient comprising the steps of initially administering to the patient a non-toxic atheroma-enhancing reagent which causes the plaque to have a characteristic optical property when illuminated with a given radiation. It introduces a catheter system including fiberoptic cable means into the artery where the distal end is operatively opposite the plaque site. Introduced into the proximal end of the fiberoptic cable means the given radiation the means photoelectrically senses at the proximal end the characteristic optical property to generate a control signal and directly under the control of the control signal transmitting via the cable means from the proximal end to the distal end. Periodically occurring laser pulses occur until the characteristic optical property is no longer sensed.

• Assignee: MCM Laboratories, Inc., Mountain View, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4682594
• OSTI ID: 6383867
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
551000 -- Physiological Systems
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ARTERIES
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CABLES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CURRENTS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
FIBER OPTICS
HEATING
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
LASERS
OPERATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PHOTOCURRENTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLAQUE FORMATION
PLASMA HEATING
PULSES
REAGENTS
SIGNALS
USES