Multiplexer for laser-driven intravascular lithotripsy device

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient, the catheter system comprising:

• a console;
• a light source that generates light energy;
• a first light guide;
• a second light guide;
• and
• a multiplexer that receives the light energy from the light source and selectively directs the light energy from the light source to the first light guide and the second light guide;
• wherein the first light guide and the second light guide are configured to receive the light energy from the light source and transmit the light energy from the light source into an interior of a catheter balloon to generate plasma in a balloon fluid within the interior of the catheter balloon, the plasma generation causing rapid bubble formation and imparting pressure waves upon a balloon wall of the catheter balloon adjacent to the treatment site.

A method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient, the method comprising:

• positioning a catheter of a catheter system adjacent to the treatment site;
• shifting a multiplexer to a location to direct light energy from a light source of the catheter system in a form of first guide beam toward a first light guide of the catheter system and a second guide beam toward a second light guide of the catheter system;
• transmitting the light energy to the multiplexer and along the first light guide and the second light guide into an interior of a balloon of the catheter system;
• imparting pressure waves upon a balloon wall adjacent to the treatment site in response to generating plasma within the interior of the balloon, wherein the plasma generation causes rapid bubble formation in fluid in the interior of the balloon resulting in the pressure waves.