Abstract: Techniques and devices for treating atherosclerotic disease use controlled cryogenic cooling, often in combination with angioplasty and/or stenting. A combination cryogenic/angioplasty catheter may cool the diseased blood vessel before, during, and/or after dilation. Controlled cooling of the vessel wall reduces actual/observed hyperplasia as compared to conventional uncooled angioplasty. Similar reductions in restenosis may be provided for other primary treatments of the blood vessel, including directional arthrectomy, rotational arthrectomy, laser angioplasty, stenting, and the like. Cooling of vessel wall tissues will often be performed through plaque, and the cooling process will preferably take the thermodynamic effects of the plaque into account.

Abstract: The present invention provides cryotherapy treatment of dissections in a blood vessel of a patient. The present invention further provides cryotherapy treatment of side branch occlusion in a bifurcated blood vessel. One method for treating potential or existing dissections in a blood vessel comprises cooling the blood vessel to a temperature and for a time sufficient to remodel the blood vessel such that dissections of the blood vessel are reduced. Another method for treating side branch occlusion in a bifurcated blood vessel, the bifurcated blood vessel having a side branch and a main branch, the main branch having plaque disposed thereon, comprises cooling an inner surface of the main branch to a temperature and for a time sufficient to inhibit plaque shift from the main branch into the side branch.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for treating atherosclerotic disease use controlled cryogenic cooling, often in combination with angioplasty and/or stenting. A combination cryogenic/angioplasty catheter may cool the diseased blood vessel before, during, and/or after dilation. Controlled cooling of the vessel wall reduces actual/observed hyperplasia as compared to conventional uncooled angioplasty. Similar reductions in restenosis may be provided for other primary treatments of the blood vessel, including directional arthrectomy, rotational arthrectomy, laser angioplasty, stenting, and the like. Cooling of vessel wall tissues will often be performed through plaque, and the cooling process will preferably take the thermodynamic effects of the plaque into account.