Infrared laser catheter system

A method for the percutaneous removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising the steps of:

• percutaneously inserting a catheter containing an optical fiber into the body;
• guiding a distal end of the optical fiber to a surgical site within the body;
• operating a laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output beam having a wavelength in the range of from about 1.4 to about 2.2 micrometers, an energy level of at least about 0.57 joules per square millimeter per pulse, and a repetition rate in the range of from about 1 to about 10 pulses per second;
• directing the output of the laser energy source to a proximal end of the optical fiber;
• and
• directing laser energy propagating down the optical fiber to the surgical site at the distal end of the optical fiber.

A system for the removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising:

• a laser energy source including means for operating said laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output wavelength in the range of from about 1.4-2.2 micrometers, and for operating said laser energy source at an energy level of at least about 0.57 joules per square millimeter per pulse;
• an optical fiber for conducting laser energy from said laser energy source from a proximal end of said fiber to a surgical site at a distal end of said optical fiber;
• and
• means for directing the output of said laser energy source to the proximal end of said optical fiber.

A method for the percutaneous removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising the steps of:

• percutaneously inserting a catheter containing an optical fiber into the body;
• guiding a distal end of the optical fiber to a surgical site within the body;
• operating a laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output beam having a wavelength in the range of from about 1.4 to about 2.2 micrometers and an energy level of at least about 0.57 joules per square millimeter per pulse;
• directing the output of the laser energy source to a proximal end of the optical fiber;
• and
• directing laser energy propagating down the optical fiber to the surgical site at the distal end of the optical fiber.

A system for the removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising:

• a laser energy source including means for operating said laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output wavelength in the range of 1.4-2.2 micrometers, and for operating said laser energy source at an energy level of at least about 1 joule per pulse for a surgical site or the order of 1.5 millimeters in diameter;
• an optical fiber for conducting laser energy from said laser energy source from a proximal end of said fiber to a surgical site at a distal end of said optical fiber;
• and
• means for directing an output of said laser source to the proximal end of said optical fiber.

A system for the removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising:

• a laser energy source including means for operating said laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output wavelength in the range of 1.4-2.2 micrometers, and for operating said laser energy source operating at an energy level of at least about 1 joule per pulse for a surgical site of the order of 1.5 millimeters in diameter;
• a catheter having at least one lumen passing therethrough;
• at least one optical fiber comprised of silica passing through said catheter lumen, said silica fiber being purified to reduce the hydroxyl ion content as low as possible;
• a focusing lens means for directing the output of said laser source onto the proximal end of said optical fiber;
• and
• a lens attached to the distal end of the optical fiber for directing laser energy propagating down said fiber to a surgical site.

A system for the removal of atherosclerotic plaque comprising:

• a Holmium-doped laser energy source including means for operating said laser energy source in a pulsed mode with an output wavelength in the range of from about 2.06-2.1 micrometers, and for operating said laser energy source at an energy level of at least about 1 joule per pulse for a surgical site of the order of 1.5 millimeters in diameter;
• an optical fiber for conducting laser energy from said laser energy source from a proximal end of said fiber to a surgical site at a distal end of said optical fiber;
• and
• means for directing an output of said laser source to the proximal end of said optical fiber.