Device and Method for Improved Vascular Laser Treatment
An improved treatment set and an improved method for endovascular laser treatments are described. The treatment en set comprises an introducer sheath or tip and an optical waveguide for allowing the treatment set to be guided within a blood vessel. The introducer sheath itself acts as the guide wire in one embodiment of the procedure. The introducer includes a means for protecting the tip of the optical fiber while the set is being positioned within the vessel and protecting the introducer tip from damaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of inserting the introducer/optical waveguide combination into a blood vessel to be treated, positioning the distal end of the introducer at a proper position in the blood vessel; advancing the optical fiber through a protective cap and/or means, and irradiating the blood vessel, preferably while withdrawing the treatment set toward the point of insertion. In another embodiment, the introducer/optical fiber combination includes a monorail groove within which a guidewire resides, wherein the optical fiber resides within the introducer and is advanced along the guidewire prior to treatment. The invention is advantageous in that it is quicker, as it requires fewer parts and fewer steps for effective treatment than do prior art devices and methods.
1 . A treatment set for intravascular laser treatments comprising:
an optical waveguide for outputting a predetermined wavelength of radiation from a distal end;
an introducer having said optical waveguide therein, wherein said optical waveguide and said introducer are inserted directly into a blood vessel and advanced simultaneously to a desired position in said blood vessel, said distal end of said optical waveguide being positioned in close proximity to a distal opening in said introducer; and
a protective means for preventing damage to said vessel by either said introducer or said optical waveguide during insertion.
2 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatments according to claim 1 wherein said waveguide is at least one optical fiber.
3 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatments according to claim 1 , wherein said treatment set comprises a guide wire being a monorail for said introducer having said guide wire and said waveguide therein.
4 . The device for intravascular laser treatment according to claim I wherein said optical waveguide comprises a wire having a monorail groove within which an optical fiber can reside and be advanced.
5 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatment according to claim 1 , wherein said introducer is an introducer sheath and said introducer sheath has one or more lumens within it.
6 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatment according to claim 5 wherein one lumen of said one or more lumens is used for said optical fiber and another lumen is used for a flow of liquids.
7 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatment according to claim I wherein said protective means is a biodegradable plug inserted into said opening.
8 . The treatment set for intravascular laser treatment according to claim I, wherein said protective means comprises a frangible barrier.
9 . A method of providing intravascular laser treatment without a catheter comprising the steps of:
attaching a protective means to an introducer;
positioning an optical waveguide in said introducer, an output end of said waveguide being positioned near a distal end of said introducer;
advancing said treatment set of said introducer and said waveguide to a desired position in a vessel; and
advancing said waveguide within said introducer to pass through said protective means and extend said output tip a predetermined distance from the exit opening of said introducer.