Laser balloon catheter

A laser balloon catheter comprising:

• an elongated flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end;
• an inflatable balloon secured to said flexible tube at or near the distal end thereof;
• an optical fiber for carrying laser radiation through said flexible tube into said balloon;
• and
• means for inflating said balloon with deuterium oxide.

A method of operating a laser balloon catheter comprising the steps of:

• advancing a catheter having an inflatable balloon secured at or near its distal end and having an optical fiber terminating within the balloon through a body passage to a desired treatment location;
• inflating the balloon with deuterium oxide;
• and
• directing laser radiation through said optical fiber into said balloon such that the radiation passes through said deuterium oxide and said balloon for treatment.

A laser balloon catheter comprising:

• an elongated flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end;
• an inflatable transparent balloon secured to said flexible tube at or near the distal end thereof;
• means for inflating and deflating said balloon;
• a relatively incompressible central tube located in said balloon and coupled to said flexible tube for carrying a guide wire;
• and
• an optical fiber for carrying laser radiation through said flexible tube into said balloon, said optical fiber including a tip portion in said balloon for emitting laser radiation outwardly therefrom through a major portion of the balloon, said tip portion extending around said central tube in a spiral configuration having at least one complete turn.