New laser coronary angioplasty system using manipulatable angioscope and co laser with infrared glass fiber

Abstract

A new laser coronary angloplasty system using CO laser and a manipulatable angloscope was described. CO laser was employed as therapy laser due t o its strong vaporization capabi l i ty and f lex ib le f iber dellvery characteristics. The medical CO laser equipment wh ich emi t ted 5um in w a v e l e n g t h w a s d e v e l o p e d . The manipulatable angioscope catheter of which dlmenslons were 1.8 m m In dlameter and 0.9 m in length realized precise targeting of laser irradlation and intraluminal diagnosis. The cont ro l sys tem prevented fa i lu re laser irradiation, and fiber thermal destructlon.