Ronald D Jenkins
Physician in Salt Lake City, UT
License number
Utah 170512-1205
Issued Date
Oct 6, 1983
Expiration Date
Dec 31, 1994
Category
Physician
Type
Physician & Surgeon
Address
Address
Salt Lake City, UT
Professional information
Ultrasound Guided Laser Angioplasty
US Patent:
5109859, May 5, 1992
Filed:
Oct 4, 1989
Appl. No.:
7/416920
Inventors:
Ronald D. Jenkins - Salt Lake City UT
Assignee:
Beth Israel Hospital Association - Boston MA
International Classification:
A61B 812
US Classification:
12866203
Abstract:
A laser ablation catheter system guided by ultrasound sonography particularly useful for removing atherosclerotic plaque from coronary arteries of patients with heart disease and it method of use are detailed. Ultrasound is employed at the tip of the catheter to determine where the plaque is with reference to the arterial wall. After a sonographic image is made, an ablative laser element is aimed at the plaque to ablatively remove the plaque under computer guidance. In one embodiment, the laser is able to fire in a forward direction after first determining the laser's path to be intralumnal in order to create or recanalize a central channel. In another embodiment, the laser is able to fire circumferentially at the arterial wall guided as to depth and direction by the ultrasound computer interface. Both functions may be provided in one laser angioplasty catheter system. The system also includes manual and computer safety overrides.