Patent ID: 8142457

Claim:
A percutaneous method for separating plaque from a target site vessel interior wall, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate tubular member having a distal end, a proximal region, a lumen therethrough, and at least one distal orifice in fluid communication with the lumen and disposed in the tubular member distal end; providing a carbon dioxide source in fluid communication with the elongate tubular member lumen in the proximal region; inserting the tubular member distal end into the vasculature at a remote entry site; advancing the tubular member distal end through the vasculature to near the target site; infusing the carbon dioxide into the lumen and through the distal orifice; and separating the plaque from the vessel wall by further advancing the tubular member distal end along the target site vessel wall while expelling carbon dioxide from the tubular member distal end.