PMID: 15227329Mar 1, 1987Paper

Plaque ablation by excimer laser irradiation using a movable energy-transmitting device

Texas Heart Institute Journal
G Laufer GE Wolner

Abstract

During the past 2 years, excimer laser energy has been shown to provide a highly suitable type of atherosclerotic plaque ablation, especially in small-diameter vessels such as coronary or crural arteries. Nevertheless, transmission of far-ultraviolet pulsed laser power has remained a major problem in animal studies and clinical trials. In an attempt to solve this problem, we constructed an energy-transmitting device for use with a Lambdaphysics EMG 102 excimer laser. The transmission system, which was housed in a rigid articulated arm, allowed movement in all directions and rotation along the long axis, thus permitting easy handling and guiding of the laser beam in the operating field. To test whether this device could deliver enough energy to remove atherosclerotic plaques within a period that would meet the requirements for intraoperative use, we obtained fresh human cadaver coronary arteries both with and without atherosclerotic disease, and irradiated them vertically and coaxially. A power meter was used to determine the effective amount of energy delivered at the distal end of each vessel. Energy densities up to 3 J/cm(2)/pulse were obtained, owing to energy focussing within the transmitting device. At 5 Hertz (Hz), tissue...Continue Reading

Related Feeds

Atherosclerosis Disease Progression

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque on artery walls, causing stenosis which can eventually lead to clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. Find the latest research on atherosclerosis disease progression here.

Carotid Artery Diseases

Carotid artery disease is a group of pathological conditions of the carotid artery. Discover the latest research on carotid artery disease here.