Abstract: For the provision of an apparatus to lessen or remove points of constriction in vessels of all types whereby ruptures and tears are to be avoided in the vessel walls and, during the treatment of stenosis in blood vessels, the danger of infarction is to be avoided, through use of a treatment catheter (1) that is equipped with two expandable balloons (4, 5) which seal off both sides of a point of constriction (6) in a vessel, whereby the degree of expansion of both balloons (4, 5) can be controlled externally, it is proposed that there be mounted in the wall of the treatment catheter (1) within the region confined by the balloons (4, 5) an inlet piece (A) for the supply of media capable of dissolving or crumbling into smaller particles the material (7) at the point of constriction and an outlet piece (B) for the removal of the material (7) dissolved or crumbled at the point of constriction, whereby these pieces are connected with an externally accessible conduit (10, 11) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for comminuting and/or eliminating constricted areas in vessels of all types whereby fissures and cracks in the vessel walls during the treatment of stenosis in blood vessels and also coronary obstruction are to be avoided. A treatment catheter is used which is equipped with two inflatable balloons which seal off a constriction place in a vessel on both sides thereof whereby the degree of expansion of both balloons is externally regulatable. An inlet member for the supply of means dissolving the material of the constriction area or comminuting the same into smaller particles and an outlet member for the removal of the dissolved or comminuted material of the constriction place are provided in the walls of the treatment catheter within the area delimited by the two balloons. These inlet and outlet members are in communication with a channel accessible from the outside.