A system design for laser coronary angioplasty

Abstract

The application of lasers in cardiovascular medicine has captured the imagination of many health care professionals. A major problem associated with coronary artery laser angioplasty has been vessel perforation. Perforation may occur as the result of thermal injury but has frequently been attributed to mechanical injury caused by traumatic optical fiber placement. Research directed at solving the problems associated with coronary artery laser angioplasty is underway with cautious progress being reported. Coronary artery laser angioplasty may become an important therapeutic modality in the treatment of coronary artery disease. A system was, therefore, designed for atraumatic optical fiber placement in coronary arteries.The application of lasers in cardiovascular medicine has captured the imagination of many health care professionals. A major problem associated with coronary artery laser angioplasty has been vessel perforation. Perforation may occur as the result of thermal injury but has frequently been attributed to mechanical injury caused by traumatic optical fiber placement. Research directed at solving the problems associated with coronary artery laser angioplasty is underway with cautious progress being reported. Coronary artery laser angioplasty may become an important therapeutic modality in the treatment of coronary artery disease. A system was, therefore, designed for atraumatic optical fiber placement in coronary arteries.