Asymmetric water jet atherectomy

摘要

A technique for ablation and removal of plaque (120) deposits from the arterial, venous, vascular graft or other tissue wall (110) of a patient. Ablation is accomplished by directing a high pressure jet (129) of sterile saline solution at the plaque deposit. The high pressure jet is located at the distal end of a catheter (12) which is advanced through the vascular system to the site of the plaque deposit. Removal of the debris is via an evacuation lumen (128) within the catheter.;The arterial wall is protected from damage by the catheter design which directs the high pressure jet towards a portion of the distal end of the catheter which serves as a target. The distal end of the catheter is placed such that the plaque or other deposit to be ablated is positioned between the high pressure jet and the target.;An optional ultrasonic transducer array (118) located adjacent the high pressure jet and the evacuation lumen permits the attending physician to monitor the procedure.;A balloon (113) may be used to hold the catheter against the deposit allowing it to protrude into the ablation jet and be removed from the vessel.