Medical catheter using optical fibers that transmit both laser energy and ultrasonic imaging signals

A catheter for insertion into the body to effect medical treatment, comprising:

• an elongated catheter tube having opposite ends;
• an optical fiber extending through said catheter tube and terminating in a tip disposed in the body when the catheter tube is inserted therein, said optical fiber having an input end opposite the tip;
• a panel adjacent said input end of said optical fiber;
• a port on said panel;
• ultrasonic transducer means connected to said port for applying ultrasonic signals to said input end of the fiber for transmission therealong to said tip and for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals received by said tip and transmitted along said fiber to said input end, thereby providing ultrasonic information regarding the treatment area adjacent the fiber tip;
• a window on said panel at a location thereon spaced from said port;
• means for applying laser energy through said window to said input end of the fiber to effect treatment of the area adjacent the fiber tip;
• and
• means for effecting selective movement of said input end of the fiber between a first position adjacent said window for the receipt of laser energy and a second position adjacent said port for the receipt of said ultrasonic signals and the reflected signals.