Catheter with distally located integrated circuit radiation generator

摘要

A catheter includes at least two electrical conductors extending from the proximal to the distal ends. A semiconductor chip generator of electromagnetic radiation is located at the distal end and is energized by electrical power supplied by the electrical conductors. The chip may be a laser or include an oscillator for generating electromagnetic radiation at a selected frequency or frequencies. In one embodiment, two chip radiation generators are located distally, each connected to one of the conductors. A third conductor is connected in common to both chips, whereby they may be energized independently. An axial aperture may be provided for a guide wire. A balloon may surround the distal end of the catheter, and may be inflated by way of another axial aperture.