Patent ID: 6022309
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for delivering acoustic energy into the cerebrovasculature during percutaneous transluminal access procedures, comprising:inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; andcoupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 5 kHz to 25 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm.sup.2 to 4 J/cm.sup.2, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through one or more mechanisms selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic expansion within said liquid ambient medium and superheated vapor expansion within said liquid ambient medium.