A NOVEL DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR LASER THERMAL RECANALIZATION

A novel fiberoptic laser delivery system (Laserprobe) has been developed for the treatment of occlusive vessel disease. This delivery system provides means for converting laser energy into localized thermal energy, and for conducting the generated heat to the diseased tissue upon contact. The temperature of the heat generating element at the Laserprobe tip has been monitored during clinical use, and a thermal feedback control system was implemented. Initial attempts for clinical laser vascular recanalization have utilized for laser delivery a conventional fiberoptic under angioscopic guidance. These attempts have demonstrated that while angioscopy is feasible, this laser delivery system in incapable of producing channels of adequate size, and of avoiding vessel perforation. The Laserprobe (Trimedyne, Inc.) was devel oped[