HYBRID CATHETER APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

A hybrid catheter device for performing cutting action on a region of a tissue, using sequential laser and mechanical cutting processes, and incorporating an acoustic sensor on the end of the device, such that if a pulsed laser beam is used for the laser cutting, the absorption of that beam in the tissue being cut can provide information about the progress of the cut by means of the opto-acoustic effect. Other hybrid catheter devices incorporate blunt protrusions on the end of said device, but having sharp lateral edges, such that rotation of the catheter device generates mechanical cutting action in the tissue. The blunt protrusion ends prevents uncontrolled cutting in the forward motion. Other hybrid catheter devices enable controlled incisions into an organ wall, such as the duodenum, and held in place by means of an inflatable balloon. A dual-wavelength nail fungus treatment hybrid catheter is also shown.

主权项

1. A device for performing cutting action on a region of a tissue, comprising:
an applicator adapted to direct energy from the distal end of said device onto said region of said tissue; an element for performing mechanical cutting, said element being aligned such that said mechanical cutting is performed in the same regions of said tissue where said energy is applied; and at least one acoustic sensor disposed in said distal region of said device, wherein when said energy is pulsed, said at least one acoustic sensor is configured to perform imaging of said tissue by detecting acoustic waves generated therein by impingement of said pulsed energy in said tissue.