Flexible flow apparatus and method for the disruption of occlusions

摘要

Methods and apparatus for creating fluid flow from one location to another are disclosed. The fluid flow is created via the absorption of repetitive pulses of radiation in a fluid to generate bubbles that expand and collapse repetitively. This fluid mechanism, or pumping phenomenon, can be used to aid removal of a total or partial occlusion in a body passage by disrupting a surface of the occlusion with acoustic shock and pressure waves and/or by causing mechanical disruption of the occlusive material. Appropriate selection of materials and particular constructions improve apparatus flexibility.