Patent ID: 9649159
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. A method for using a balloon catheter, the method comprising: inserting a balloon catheter into a vessel, wherein the balloon catheter comprises (i) a catheter body including a central axis, a proximal end, a distal end face, and a cavity disposed within a periphery of the catheter body, (ii) a light guide extending from the proximal end of the catheter body to the distal end face of the catheter body, and (iii) a balloon coupled with the catheter body, wherein at least a first portion of the balloon is disposed within the cavity; positioning the balloon catheter near a target within the vessel; inflating the balloon by inserting a biocompatible solution into the balloon causing at least a second portion of the inflated balloon to extend outside the cavity eccentrically relative to the catheter body and proximally relative to the distal end face of the catheter body and press against an inner wall of the vessel; and axially moving the distal end face of the catheter body relative to the inflated balloon in a longitudinal direction of the central axis within the vessel, wherein the inflated balloon remains proximal to the distal end face of the catheter body, and the distal end face of the catheter body remains distal to the inflated portion of the balloon.