Abstract: An ultrasonic device having a wire sheath for use in removing plaque from a human artery. This ultrasonic device has a wire for removing the plaque, a sheath around the wire for minimizing transverse displacement during cavitation; a handpiece having a portion joined to the wire at one end, and a transducer in the handpiece for vibrating the wire axially. It may also have a pips fitting having an opening for a syringe for fluid under pressure for a passageway between the wire and sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device for applying cavitation force to an unwanted material is provided. The device is particularly useful for removing plaque from a human artery wherein a portion of the device can enter an artery and pass through the artery to the vicinity of the plaque. The device includes a solid wire of titanium material, a transducer, a generator for providing vibration energy via the transducer, and a handpiece enclosing the transducer and having a tapered end portion with an exponential surface of slightly concave profile. The tapered end portion is fixedly connected to an inner end of the wire. For human applications, the wire has an overall length in the range of about 5 inches to 40 inches and has a uniform outer diameter in the range of about from 0.015 inches to 0.040 inches. The device includes a catheter assembly having a catheter tube enclosing the wire and includes a container unit mounted on the tapered end portion of the handpiece.