Method of and apparatus for laser treatment of body lumens
Patent 4800876 Issued on January 31, 1989. Estimated Expiration Date: 
January 31, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
January 31, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsApplicationNo. 06/478781 filed on 03/25/1983US Classes:606/7AngioplastyExaminersPrimary: Hindenburg, MaxAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesA61B 18/20 (20060101)A61B 18/20 (20060101) A61B 18/24 (20060101) A61B 18/24 (20060101) A61B 17/22 (20060101) A61B 17/22 (20060101) A61B 17/00 (20060101) A61B 17/00 (20060101) AbstractA laser microsurgical method and apparatus are disclosed for safely treating occluded body lumens with laser energy. The disclosed method involves the use of pulsed laser energy from an argon-ion laser to destroy the tissue of luminal occlusions, such as atheromatous plaque and the like, with substantially no vaporization of thermal necrosis of the tissue. A flexible catheter and associated laser microsurgical system is also disclosed which provides for aiming of the fibers to transmitting the laser beam at the distal end of the catheter and rotational positioning of the catheter to permit coverage of virtually the entire cross-sectional area of the lumen. A lens system at the distal end of each laser fiber minimizes beam divergence and directs the beam toward the central axis of the catheter. The system is designed to minimized the possibility of damage to or perforation of the surrounding tissue of the lumen.Other References
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