Methods for treating vascular stenoses including laser atherectomy and drug delivery via drug-coated balloons

A method for treating a target vascular portion of a subject including a stenosis, the method comprising:

• providing a laser ablation system including a first laser catheter including a distal end having a first plurality of laser emitters, the first laser catheter having a first external diameter, the laser ablation system further including a second laser catheter including a distal end having a second plurality of laser emitters, the second laser catheter having a second external diameter, the second external diameter being different than the first external diameter;
• positioning the distal end of the first laser catheter within the subject proximate the target vascular portion;
• delivering laser energy to the first laser catheter and emitting the laser energy from the first plurality of laser emitters to ablate the stenosis;
• withdrawing the first laser catheter from the subject;
• positioning the distal end of the second laser catheter within the subject proximate the target vascular portion;
• delivering laser energy to the second laser catheter and emitting the laser energy from the second plurality of laser emitters to ablate the stenosis;
• withdrawing the second laser catheter from the subject;
• providing a balloon system including a drug-coated balloon, the drug-coated balloon carrying at least one therapeutic agent, the at least one therapeutic agent being a restenosis inhibitor;
• positioning the drug-coated balloon within the subject proximate the target vascular portion;
• expanding the drug-coated balloon to engage the target vascular portion;
• delivering the at least one therapeutic agent from the drug-coated balloon to the target vascular portion;
• and
• withdrawing the drug-coated balloon from the subject.

A method for treating a target vascular portion of a subject including a stenosis, the method comprising:

• providing a laser ablation system including a laser catheter, the laser catheter including a distal end having a plurality of laser emitters;
• positioning the distal end of the laser catheter within the subject proximate the target vascular portion;
• delivering laser energy to the laser catheter and emitting the laser energy from the plurality of laser emitters to ablate the stenosis, including:
• emitting the laser energy at a first repetition rate;
• emitting the laser energy at a second repetition rate, the second repetition rate being different than the first repetition rate;
• withdrawing the laser catheter from the subject;
• providing a balloon system including a drug-coated balloon, the drug-coated balloon carrying at least one therapeutic agent, the at least one therapeutic agent being a restenosis inhibitor;
• positioning the drug-coated balloon within the subject proximate the target vascular portion;
• expanding the drug-coated balloon to engage the target vascular portion;
• delivering the at least one therapeutic agent from the drug-coated balloon to the target vascular portion;
• and
• withdrawing the drug-coated balloon from the subject.