ULTRASONIC ABLATION OF STENOSES AND OCCLUSIONS WITH IMAGING GUIDANCE

摘要

An intraluminal catheter (10) for the ultrasonic ablation of stenoses or occlusions in a body lumen such as peripheral or coronary arteries. The catheter has an elongated ultrasonic probe (15) which can be guided from its proximal end so that the distal tip (16) thereof is positioned into contact or close proximity to the stenotic or occlusive material to be ablated. An imaging system (20) allows for the direct observation of the stenosis or occlusion so that contact with or close proximity of the probe's distal tip to the stenotic or occlusive material is maintained to ensure effective ablation with little or no remnant thereof after the procedure.