Angioplasty system having means for identification of atherosclerotic plaque

Abstract

Abstract An angioplasty system and method for identification and laser ablation of atherosclerotic plaque at a target site in a blood vessel includes fluorescence analysis for identification of noncalcified plaque and calcium photoemission analysis for identification of calcified plaque. Calcified plaque is identified by time domain analysis of calcium photoemission. A high energy pulsed ultraviolet laser can be used for stimulation of fluorescence and for stimulation of calcium photoemission. The system is capable of distinguishing between calcium photoemission and a defective condition of optical fibers that are used to deliver laser energy to the target site. In another embodiment of the angioplasty system, calcium photoemissionis identified during a nonablative initial portion of the laser ablation pulse. When calcium photoemission is not identified, the laser ablation pulse is terminated during the initial nonablative portion thereof.

Inventors

• 👤 Glen S. Baker
• 👤 Michael G. Dumont
• 👤 Michael A. Madden
• 👤 Norman E. Farr

Bibliographic Details