Percutaneous transluminal microwave catheter angioplasty

A method for reducing the occlusive effect or plaque located at point in a blood vessel in tissue, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining access to the interior of said blood vessel;
• inserting a first end of an elongated electromagnetic transmission line terminated in an antenna into said blood vessel;
• adjusting the position of said transmission line until said antenna is adjacent said point;
• and
• applying radio frequency or microwave frequency electrical energy to the other end of said transmission line in such an amount that said antenna couples at least a portion of said energy to said plaque for heating thereof without vaporization or death of the underlying tissue.

A method for reducing the occlusive effect of plaque located at a point in a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining access to the interior of said blood vessel;
• inserting a first end of an elongated electromagnetic transmission line terminated in an antenna into said blood vessel;
• adjusting the position of said transmission line until said antenna is adjacent said point;
• injecting a physiologically inert and electromagnetically transparent substance into said blood vessel in the vicinity of said antenna;
• and
• applying radio frequency or microwave frequency energy to other end of said transmission line in such an amount that said antenna couples at least a portion of said energy to said plaque for heating thereof without vaporization or death of the underlying living tissue.

A method for increasing the size of a lumen of a vas partially occluded by plaque, comprising the steps of:

• inserting into the lumen of said vas a catheter arrangement including a balloon catheter and a coaxial transmission line the distal end of which is terminated in an antenna;
• adjusting the position of said antenna and of said balloon to a point adjacent said plaque;
• applying high frequency or microwave electrical power to the proximal end of said coaxial transmission line whereby electromagnetic energy is coupled to said plaque to thereby heat and soften said plaque;
• inflating said balloon so as to expand said lumen;
• ceasing said application of said electrical power;
• deflating said balloon;
• and
• removing said catheter arrangement.