MEDICAL CATHETER

摘要

A medical catheter (10) for treating atherosclerotic plaque and other abnormalities includes for an ultrasonic transducer (34) system which makes use of optical fibers (30) for transmitting ultrasonic signals through the catheter (10). The optical fibers (30) extend through a probe (28) which is rotatable inside of the catheter tube (12) to permit the ultrasonic system to sweep the entire area of the catheter tip (30a). In an alternative form of the invention, multiple transducers (164) are carried on disks (162) that rotate with the probe (28), and slip ring electrical contacts (154) establish electrical connections (156) with the rotating parts.