| 摘要 |
A guide wire (22), for use, for example, in guiding an elongated catheter (70) through an artery or vein (50) of a mammalian body having a stenosis and/or an occlusion (52) therein, includes an elongated conductor (32) having a longitudinal dimension, a proximal end and a distal end. The guide wire further includes an insulator overlying the elongated conductor. The insulator exposes a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the elongated conductor to form an electrode (34). The elongated conductor is arranged to be connected to a source (42) of high voltage pulses to cause electrical arcs at the electrode that in turn form steam bubbles and shock waves to break the stenosis and/or open the occlusion and permit the guide wire to pass there through. Other embodiments are directed to a system including the guide wire and a method of using the guide wire. |
