Vision-guided laser atherectomy

Abstract

Summary. Atherectomy is emerging as a new therapeutic modality in the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular diseases both in the peripheral and coronary arteries. To reduce complications such as vessel wall perforation and occlusion, we developed a new vision-guided laser atherectomy catheter in order to image and treat simultaneously. The catheter consists of a laser cutting device with an integrated imaging system (fibre-optic or ultrasound). For positioning in the vessel an inflatable balloon is fixed on the opposite side of a micro metal cutting chamber. A conic flexible tip with a collection housing mounted onto the distal end of the sheath is used to extract ablated plaque fragments. By combining state-of-the-art imaging and interventional technology, our developed precision-guided directional laser atherectomy system may provide more effective percutaneous coronary revascularization than previously developed techniques.