Method and apparatus for removing plaque from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy

A method for reducing plaque in a blood vessel comprising:

• providing a flexible member comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end;
• inserting the flexible member into the blood vessel;
• moving the flexible member in the blood vessel and placing the flexible member in communication with the plaque;
• and
• providing an ultrasonic vibration to the flexible member, creating a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the flexible member with a plurality of anti-nodes along the flexible member.

An ultrasonic medical device comprising:

• a probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween;
• and
• a diameter of the probe that is tapered from the proximal end of the probe to the distal end of the probe,
• wherein the probe can support a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe to destroy plaque within a blood vessel along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe.

A medical device comprising:

• a flexible probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween;
• and
• a probe tip extending from the distal end of the probe,
• wherein the probe is capable of flexing to support a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe.