Asymmetric water jet atherectomy

Abstract

A technique for ablation and removal of plaque deposits from the arterial, venous, vascular graft or other tissue wall of a patient. Ablation is accomplished by directing a high pressure jet of sterile saline solution at the plaque deposit. The high pressure jet is located at the distal end of a catheter which is advanced through the vascular system to the site of the plaque deposit. Removal of the debris is via an evacuation lumen within the catheter. The arterial wall is protected from damage by the catheter design which directs the high pressure jet towards a portion of the distal end of the catheter which serves as a target. The distal end of the catheter is placed such that the plaque or other deposit to be ablated is positioned between the high pressure jet and the target. An optional ultrasonic transducer array located adjacent the high pressure jet and the evacuation lumen permits the attending physician to monitor the procedure. A balloon may be used to hold the catheter against the deposit allowing it to protrude into the ablation jet and be removed from the vessel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.