Method of treatment of artherosclerosis and balloon catheter the same

A method for applying energy to the walls of an artery to be treated so that the energy emitting portion of the catheter is adjacent the part of the artery to be treated, the catheter comprising:

• a tube defining a lumen,
• an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end of the tube for inflation from a remote source of fluid, the balloon being configured so that the tube may be navigated through the artery when the balloon is deflated and allow blood flow while the tube is being navigated with the balloon in a deflated state and also configured to displace blood within the artery when inflated,
• fiber optic means connectable to an energy source at the proximal end and extending through said lumen to emit energy into the balloon for transmission of energy from an external energy source, and
• means for diffusing energy that is transmitted by said fiber optic means, said means for diffusing energy being in optical communication with the fiber optic means and being within said balloon so that energy transmitted into the balloon via the fiber optic means may be applied through the balloon to all parts of the walls of the artery surrounding the balloon simultaneously;
• (B) displacing blood in the artery between the energy emitting catheter and the portion of the artery to be treated by inflating the balloon;
• (C) energizing the entire balloon surface of the energy emitting catheter by diffusing energy through the means for diffusing energy to enable the entire balloon surface to transmit energy to all parts of the walls of the surrounding artery simultaneously;
• and
• (D) deflating the balloon of the light emitting catheter and removing the light emitting catheter after treatment.

A balloon catheter for displacing blood within an artery to enable the wall of the artery to be illuminated for medical treatment while reducing the amount of light lost through the blood which would otherwise occur comprising:

• a tube defining a lumen, said tube being configured to navigate an artery;
• an inflatable balloon secured to one end of said tube for inflation from a remote source of gas, said balloon being configured so as not to interfere with the navigation of said tube through the artery when deflated and allow blood flow while said tube is being navigated with the balloon in a deflated state and also configured to displace blood within the artery when inflated;
• fiber optic means connectable to a light source at the proximal end and extending through said lumen and into the balloon for transmission of light from an external light source to the interior of said balloon and to the walls of the artery for illuminating the walls of the artery, when blood is displaced, with an intensity greater than would be the case when blood is present in the artery;
• an elongated hollow member within and coextensive with the length of said balloon and forming an optical junction with said fiber optic means;
• a liquid filling said elongated hollow member for scattering light throughout the interior of said balloon and to the walls of the arteries;
• and
• a guidewire to which the distal end of said balloon is affixed;
• said balloon and fiber optic means enabling the walls to be illuminated by displacing blood so that the light from the fiber optic means reaches the walls of the artery for treatment of atheromatous plaque, and said inflatable balloon and said fiber optic means enabling the transmission of light to be synchronized for intermittent displacement of blood from a selected sight in the artery at the same time as light is transmitted so as to allow prolonged exposure of the sight to the transmitted light and to enable the treatment of the walls of the arteries without compromising the patient from disruption of blood flow.