Laser enhanced transluminal angioplasty catheter system

摘要

A monitoring system for a laser catheter device in which the monitoring system is provided with means for determining the intensity of the energy of the laser beam at two points, one of which is at its remote end or tip, and the other being interposed along a transmitter column which is remote both from the laser-beam energy source and from the remote end. Provision has been made for means for splitting the beam (dichroic filter) for diverting a first part of the laser-beam energy to first detector means. The energy which passes through the beam splitter is finally directed onto a fluorescent device or member arranged next to the remote end, with the fluorescent means or member capable of emitting or generating radiating energy at a wavelength which is significantly different from that of the energy of the incident laser beam.