Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion section; a flow passage; a closed space forming member configured to form a closed space in at least a portion of an intestine; a pump configured to apply pressurization and depressurization to a liquid in the closed space a plurality of times through the flow passage in a state where the liquid is retained in the closed space; a flow passage allowing the liquid in the closed space to which the pressurization and the depressurization are applied the plurality of times through the flow passage to flow out to an outside of the intestine, and a liquid discharge opening.

Abstract: Various shock wave catheters and methods of use thereof that do not utilize a guidewire are described herein. The shock wave catheters include at least one shock wave emitter disposed within a distal portion of the shock wave catheter and configured to generate shock waves. The ends of conductive wires extending within an elongate tube can form the shock wave emitter(s). The shock wave emitter(s) can be surrounded by an enclosure fillable with a conductive fluid delivered by the lumen of the elongate tube. The elongate tube can include a coil or slits therein that enable flexibility of the shock wave catheter, which, in combination with the narrow profile of the shock wave catheters described herein, enable their use in navigating and treating small, tortuous vessels.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for treatment of occlusions, including coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

Abstract: An optical fiber (10) capable of minimizing strength deterioration includes a core (11) and a clad (12) arranged around the core (11) such that part of the core (11) is exposed. A rough surface portion is provided at least at part of an outer surface of the exposed portion (11a) of the core (11) exposed through the clad (12). The arithmetic surface roughness Ra of the rough surface portion is equal to or greater than 0.2 ?m. The average length Rsm of a rough curve element of the rough surface portion is equal to or greater than 17 ?m.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tip camera system that includes a probe including a probe body and a probe tip, an optical fiber light source, and an optical fiber positioned within the probe body that emits light at the probe tip to illuminate a local view of an interior of an eye. The system further includes a tip camera positioned in the probe tip and includes a sensor that detects light emitted by the optical fiber and reflected off the interior of the eye, and that sends a signal corresponding to the detected light to a processor. The system also includes an image processing system that includes the processor and that executes instructions to produce a tip camera digital image of the eye. The system also includes a digital display that displays the tip camera digital image of the eye.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter shaft and a mapping balloon configured for navigation within a body. The mapping balloon can be coupled to the catheter shaft, such as at a distal end of the catheter shaft. The mapping balloon can have an exterior surface including a plurality of predefined fold locations configured to allow the mapping balloon to be adjusted between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the mapping balloon can include a first dimension, and in the expanded configuration the mapping balloon can have a second dimension. The second dimension can be greater than the first dimension. A plurality of electrodes can be located along the exterior surface of the mapping balloon to communicate electrical signals with an electronic control unit.

Abstract: System and methods for controlling a laser light source of a lithotripsy device to fragment or break a target object are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a controller that can perform one or more iterations of a first process, and one or more iterations of a second process. The first process includes steps of selecting at least one variable operating parameter of a laser light source of a lithotripsy device, determining a value of each of a plurality of base settings of the at least one variable operating parameter selected and selecting one of the plurality of base settings based on signals received from the target in response to laser irradiation according to the value of each of the plurality of base settings set. The second process includes controlling the laser light source based on the one of the plurality of base settings selected.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide devices, systems, and methods for illuminating inside an eye globe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ergonomic chandelier illumination systems for illumination of a surgical site during ophthalmic surgery, the chandelier illumination systems having improved flexibility, profile, and light coupling efficiency. In certain embodiments, a malleable chandelier illumination probe, which is bendable by a surgeon to any desired angle, is disclosed. In certain other embodiments, a preformed chandelier illumination probe, which is preset to a desired angle using a heating method, is disclosed. In certain other embodiments, a method for belling and binding two optical fibers to create a dual chandelier output with improved light coupling efficiency, which is capable of being used with a single connector, is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a probe that a cylindrical marker band defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end and having a band length, the inner surface defining a marker band bore, the cylindrical marker band includes a radiopaque material; a molded unitary lens defining an elongate optical fiber receiving section having a fiber section length and a beam directing surface, wherein the fiber section length and the band length overlap along an overlap distance; and an optical fiber, wherein a first section of the optical fiber is disposed in the optical fiber receiving section, wherein a portion of the first section of the optical fiber is disposed within the marker band bore.

Abstract: A surgical device such as a therapy device that can allow a surgeon to treat a target tissue with ultra-violet (UV) light ablation therapy. In one example, the therapy device is configured to treat menorrhagia. In that instance, the therapy device may be configured to effect or destroy the endometrium during a procedure treating menorrhagia.

Abstract: A system for testing an ablation system comprising an optical box and a catheter connector is disclosed. The system comprises a qualitative beam assessment device, a quantitative beam assessment device, and a processor. The qualitative beam assessment device has a camera configured to record signals related to a beam profile of a beam emitted by the optical box. The quantitative beam assessment device has an energy sensor configured to measure a beam energy of the beam. The processor is configured to receive the signals from the beam assessment devices, determine a qualitative condition of the beam based on the beam profile signals, and determine a quantitative condition of the beam based on the beam energy signals.

Abstract: A catheter for treating an occlusion in a body lumen includes an elongate tube; a member sealed to a distal end of the elongate tube that is fillable with a conductive fluid; a cylindrical conductive sheath circumferentially mounted around the elongate tube within the member, the conductive sheath comprising a slot extending along a length of the conductive sheath; and a wire at least partially disposed in the slot, wherein a distal end of the wire is spaced apart from the conductive sheath by a gap in an arrangement such that when a voltage pulse is supplied to the insulated wire current flows across the gap to generate cavitation bubbles and/or shock waves.

Abstract: A laser atherectomy device includes a light delivery catheter equipped with sensors for monitoring physical characteristics at a laser application site. An integrated control unit utilizing data from said sensors is provided to optimally adjust laser energy parameters and to provide for safe and efficacious ablation of the blood vessel occlusion.

Abstract: A system and method for dental or surgical treatment of oral tissue, the system including a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area), the device further including a disposable tube attachable to the hand piece and an optical element (e.g., a substantially cylindrical lens) mounted within the disposable tube and adapted to modify a profile and/or a direction of the radiation emitted from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for treating an occlusion in a body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated tube, a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair each configured to generate shock waves. The catheter also includes a flexible polymer enclosure that is fillable with conductive fluid and wrapped circumferentially around at least a portion of the elongated tube such that it surrounds the first and second electrode pairs. The first and second electrode pairs can be arranged relative to one another to promote interference between shock waves generated at the electrode pairs when voltage is delivered across the electrodes of each pair. Electrode pairs can be longitudinally adjacent (spaced a relatively small longitudinal distance apart), longitudinally aligned (at the same longitudinal location), circumferentially offset (offset about the circumference of the catheter), circumferentially aligned (at the same circumferential location), or any combination of any of the above.

Abstract: An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system is provided. The system includes a light source, an optical waveguide, and an optical element in the form of a diffuser element. The optical waveguide has a first end that is connectable or assignable to the light source and the diffuser element is arranged at a second end of the optical waveguide so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element. The optical element has a lateral surface covered by a reflector layer at least in a section thereof. The reflector layer includes a mirror layer. The optical element has a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer and a light-transmissive area that is free of the reflector layer. Thus, light injected into the optical element is reflected on the light-reflecting area and emitted from the light-transmissive area.

Abstract: Reperfusion injury is limited during endovascular therapies (e.g., revascularization and/or reperfusion of end organ tissues) by conditioning the tissues against reperfusion injury using an optical fiber catheter to deliver far red and near infrared (R/NIR) light to the tissues. The light may be multiple wavelength or single wavelength light, and may have one or more wavelengths selected from the range of 510 to 830 nm. The R/NIR light may be delivered concurrently with the endovascular therapy, or in other instances may be delivered before or after a particular therapy.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture, including terminations of or attachments to optical fibers are configured to substantially prevent axial emission and redirect radially most if not all light emanating from optical fibers. In that, a termination may include a fiber cap of a unitary construction of a tube and an optical element disposed to face a sealed end of the tube and dividing a hollow of the tube and having a conical surface, or an optical element dividing the hollow and complemented by a cone. An example of termination includes an optical fiber element having an up-tapered end with a maximum taper-diameter exceeding the core-diameter and ending at a conical element with an apex angle from about 70° to about 100°. Articles of manufacture additionally including mounting contraptions cooperating such terminations with cannulae to form an attachment to a laser system. Methods for transmitting light through such articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Described is a method and device for dilating a tubular anatomical structure. The device and method can be useful for extracting a blood clot in an artery of a mammal by concentrically irradiating an inner wall of the occluded artery using an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam delivered by an optical fiber having an external or inverted conical tip. Dilation results from photophysical production and release of nitric oxide from the cells lining the arterial wall when UV laser light is projected as a ring beam onto the inner arterial wall. This “minimal contact persistent dilation system” prepares the artery for safer mechanical extraction by thrombectomy, owing to decrease in friction and dissolution of chemical bonding.

Abstract: A light irradiating medical device 1 includes a catheter shaft 2 extending in a longitudinal direction; a balloon 5 disposed at a distal portion of the catheter shaft 2; a light guiding tool 10 disposed in a lumen of the catheter shaft 2 and movable in the longitudinal direction, the light guiding tool 10 including an optical fiber 11 extending in the longitudinal direction and a tubular member 15 covering the optical fiber 11 and having light transparency, the optical fiber 11 including a core 12, a cladding 13 and a cladding absent portion 14 disposed at a part of a distal portion of the core 12; a first radiopaque marker 21 disposed at the distal portion of the catheter shaft 2; and a second radiopaque marker 22 disposed at the tubular member 15 at a position distal to a distal end 12a of the core 12.

Abstract: A light-irradiation-device delivery apparatus includes: a metal needle tube having a longitudinal axis, a side hole, which penetrates from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface, and a blade surface at a distal end thereof; an optical fiber that is accommodated inside the needle tube, the optical fiber including a core allowing light to propagate, a clad covering an outer circumferential surface of the core, and an emission area provided at a distal-end section of the optical fiber; and a positioning member that positions the emission area between a distal end and a proximal end of the needle tube in the longitudinal-axis direction. The distal end of the optical fiber is positioned in an interior space of the needle tube in a state where the emission area is positioned between the distal end and the proximal end of the side hole.

Abstract: A system for treating uterine tissue having a seal assembly configured for positioning in a patient's cervical canal and uterine cavity; an expandable distal balloon portion; an expandable elongate medial balloon portion configured for movement between a first transversely expanded shape for engaging a cervical canal and a second transversely non-expanded shape for trans-cervical insertion; and a fluid source in communication with distal balloon portion and medial balloon portion for expansion of said balloon portions.

Abstract: A light irradiation device having an elongated outer shape includes: an optical fiber for emitting light from its distal end, which has a curved part, in which the distal end is oriented in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the light irradiation device by the curved part; and a light transmitting holder that retains a shape of the curved part of the optical fiber. The optical fiber has a core, or has the core and an outer surface layer, and the holder has a refractive index smaller than a refractive index of the core or a refractive index of the outer surface layer of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ventricular partitioning device for implantation using a delivery system can include coupling the ventricular partitioning device to a delivery catheter, loading the ventricular partitioning device and a portion of the delivery catheter into a sleeve and creating a liquid-tight seal between a portion of the sleeve and the delivery catheter, coupling a distal end of the sleeve to a guide catheter, and delivering fluid through at least one of the first fluid delivery port or the second fluid delivery port. The method can be performed with the delivery catheter or the sleeve having a first fluid delivery port positioned thereon. The method can be with the guide catheter having a second fluid delivery port positioned thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting using a light diffusing fiber includes optically coupling a light source to a light diffusing optical fiber having a core, a cladding surrounding the core, an outer surface, and a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding. The method further includes positioning the light diffusing optical fiber in optical engagement with a pathogen sample and directing light output by the light source into the light diffusing optical fiber for a first time interval. The scattering structures scatter light propagating along the light diffusing optical fiber toward the outer surface and a portion of the light diffuses through the outer surface thereby irradiating the pathogen sample with light having an average power density of about 5 mW/cm2 to about 30 mW/cm2 at a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 495 nm for an exposure time from about 2 hours to about 24 hours.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft, a balloon and a photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region. The elongate shaft can include a light guide that is configured to be placed in optical communication with a light source. The balloon is coupled to the elongate shaft, and can be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the photoacoustic catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the photoacoustic catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The photoacoustic transducer can be disposed on a surface of the balloon and in optical communication with the light guide. The photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material.

Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation and laser radiation (red radiation, green radiation) device or catheter system, a broad spectrum treatment product that affects various pathogens such viral, fungal, bacterial, parasitic causing infections. The ultraviolet radiation and laser radiation device or catheter system is based on the process of eliminating the bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses in the body as a result of the ultraviolet light being introduced into the body (intravascular, intrapulmonary, intrarespiratory system, intragastric, intragastrointestinal system, intraarticular, intravesical, intraurogenital system) with the help of a disposable catheter. The ultraviolet radiation and laser radiation device or catheter system is the process of applying the laser and ultraviolet radiations used outside the body directly into the body to the infected tissues and organs with no/minimal damage (not to exceed the toxic limit) to the living creatures.

Abstract: A light treatment system includes: a probe configured to be inserted into a bladder, the probe including an optical fiber, and a diffuser that is provided at a distal end of the optical fiber, the diffuser being configured to emit the light from a surface of the cylindrical shape in a diffused manner; a balloon catheter into which the probe is inserted, the balloon catheter being configured to be inserted into the bladder, the balloon catheter including a distal end portion that is to be spherically dilated in the bladder; and a liquid that includes light scattering particles and fills inside of the distal end portion when the distal end portion has been dilated, the liquid having an equivalent scattering coefficient ??s equal to or larger than 5/R, where R is a maximum radius of the distal end portion that has been dilated.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods to classify the plaque tissue present in the coronary artery using intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, and delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A medical instrument may include a tube, a sheath provided around and coaxial with the tube, and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the sheath. The balloon may receive a fluid from a lumen of the sheath, and may have a central opening along a longitudinal axis thereof, and into which the tube extends, a proximal portion, a middle portion adjacent to and distal of the proximal portion, and a distal portion adjacent to and proximal of the middle portion. When the balloon is inflated with the fluid, a maximum diameter of the middle portion may be less than a maximum diameter of the proximal portion, and less than a maximum diameter of the distal portion. The medical instrument may also include an extraction member provided at a distal end of the tube, distal to the balloon, and movable axially relative to the balloon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying tissue use a pressurized fluid stream carrying coherent light energy. The methods and systems may be used for resecting and debulking soft and hard biological tissues. The coherent light is focused within a stream of fluid to deliver energy to the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a puncture system having an outer tubular body which is designed to remain in a body part of a living being, said puncture system comprising at least one inner tubular body and a puncture needle, wherein the inner tubular body is guided through a working lumen of the outer tubular body and is longitudinally displaceable relative to the outer tubular body, and the puncture needle is guided through a puncture lumen of the inner tubular body and the inner tubular body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the puncture needle. The puncture system has a manually actuatable element that can be moved by manual actuation at least into a fixing position and into a release position, wherein, in the fixing position, the longitudinal displaceability a1) of the inner tubular body relative to the outer tubular body and/or a2) of the puncture needle relative to the inner tubular body and/or a3) of the puncture needle relative to the outer tubular body is removed or reduced.

Abstract: A device for detecting spatial differences in fluid level changes in a tissue of a patient may include a support structure for securing the device to a body part of the patient, a processing element operably connected to the support structure, a wireless networking interface operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element and an external computing device via a network, a first transmission module operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element, a second transmission module and a third transmission module operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element. When activated, the first transmission module transmits a first time varying magnetic field through the tissue of the patient. The second and third transmission modules, which are spatially separated from one another, receive first and second versions, respectively, of the first time varying magnetic field.

Abstract: A spectral beam combining system includes a plurality of input fibers and a prism having a curved input surface. The plurality of input fibers are attached to the curved input surface. The spectral beam combining system also includes an immersion grating defined on a second surface of the prism, a protective cap disposed over the immersion grating, and an output surface.

Abstract: A peripheral light-emitting linear light guide member is composed of an optical fiber including a core having an outer periphery surface exposed from a cladding at one end in a longitudinal direction, and a light-scattering member covering an entire periphery of the outer periphery surface at an exposed portion of the core over a predetermined axial length range. The light-scattering member scatters a light emitted from the outer periphery surface of the core. In the light-scattering member, light-scattering particles are dispersion-mixed with an optically transparent base material having a higher refractive index than a refractive index of the core. An amount of the light-scattering particles around an outer periphery of the core is higher at a distal end of the light-scattering member than at an end closer to the cladding.

Abstract: A method treating a root canal in a tooth by introducing into the pulp chamber of a tooth and pulsing a laser light into the fluid reservoir so as to disintegrate pulp within the root canal without generation of any significant heat in said liquid fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any of the dentin, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5° C.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another.

Abstract: A method treating a root canal in a tooth by introducing into the pulp chamber of a tooth and pulsing a laser light into the fluid reservoir so as to disintegrate pulp within the root canal without generation of any significant heat in said liquid fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any of the dentin, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5° C.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting relative location of a surgical laser fiber tip relative to a surgical laser target during a surgical laser procedure utilizes a spectrophotometer to detect radiation indicative of the relative location. For example, the detected radiation may indicate contact between the fiber tip and a stone being subjected to laser lithotripsy, so as to prompt the surgeon to withdraw the fiber tip from the stone and/or take other action to limit contact-induced erosion of the fiber tip, and to avoid saturation of the endoscope camera resulting from the flash that occurs following contact. In addition, the absence of any detected radiation by the spectrophotometer may be used to indicate that the stone is no longer present, or that the fiber tip is no longer aimed at the stone, prompting the operator to reposition the fiber and/or temporarily cease firing of the laser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining information relating to a suspected occluding structure. It is described to provide (210) a spectral resolving unit with at least one broadband radiation. The at least one broadband radiation comprises a first broadband radiation acquired from a region of interest within a vascular structure. An occluding structure is suspected to be located within the region of interest and wherein the first broadband radiation is associated with the suspected occluding structure. At least one spectrally resolved data set is determined (220) on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation, wherein the at least one spectrally resolved data set comprises a first spectrally resolved data set determined on the basis of the first broadband radiation. A processing unit is provided (230) with the at least one spectrally resolved data set on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a catheter; an optic fiber having a long axis and a short axis that is orthogonal to the long axis; first and second radiopaque elements coupled to the optic fiber; a first wire coupled to the optic fiber and extending from the first radiopaque element to the second radiopaque element; a fluid; wherein (a)(i) the first wire wraps at least partially around an exterior surface of the optic fiber; (a)(ii) an outer diameter of the first wire and an outer diameter of the optic fiber are collectively less than an inner diameter of the catheter, and (a)(iii) the first wire is configured to center the optic fiber within the catheter within a plane orthogonal to the long axis.

Abstract: A catheter for intraluminal lithotripsy including an outer wall, at least one balloon extending from the outer wall, the balloon having a first portion, a second portion proximal of the first portion and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions such that a transverse dimension of the intermediate portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first and second portions. The catheter includes a first lumen, at least one energy emitter mounted on the balloon for emitting energy to break down or soften calcium and a connector connecting the at least one energy emitter to an external energy source, the connector extending through the catheter.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft, a distal tip sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an expandable element moveable along an exterior of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position. The expandable element is operable to transition between an unexpanded state in which the expandable element is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus, and an expanded state in which the expandable element is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass fiber (1) comprising at least one fiber core (10), at least one fiber cladding (11) which at least substantially encloses the fiber core (10) in the circumferential direction (U) and along the longitudinal axis (X), and at least one fiber coating (12) which substantially encloses the fiber cladding (11) in the circumferential direction (U) and along the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the glass fiber (1) has at least one first exposed portion (13a) where the fiber cladding (11) is exposed by the fiber coating (12), for removing light (B) at least from the fiber cladding (11), wherein at least the fiber cladding (11) has a plurality of recesses (14) at least substantially in the radial direction (R), which recesses are designed to at least partially discharge the light (B) at least from the fiber cladding (11).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal portion and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion. The proximal portion includes a proximal surface. The proximal portion defines a first pathway and a second pathway that both extend distally from the proximal surface. The first pathway is dimensioned to receive a shaft while the second pathway is dimensioned to receive a navigation guidewire. The distal portion includes a distal tip terminating into a distal end. The second pathway extends from the proximal portion into the distal tip.

Abstract: Described is a method and device for dilating a tubular anatomical structure. The device and method can be useful for extracting a blood clot in an artery of a mammal by concentrically irradiating an inner wall of the occluded artery using an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam delivered by an optical fiber having an external or inverted conical tip. Dilation results from photophysical production and release of nitric oxide from the cells lining the arterial wall when UV laser light is projected as a ring beam onto the inner arterial wall. This “minimal contact persistent dilation system” prepares the artery for safer mechanical extraction by thrombectomy, owing to decrease in friction and dissolution of chemical bonding.

Abstract: Provided is a guidewire connector that does not interfere with an introduction of another in-body insertion instrument and is capable of maintaining cleanliness of the guidewire when connecting a guidewire mounted with a photo-acoustic ultrasonic wave generator. The guidewire connector according to the present disclosure includes an adapter member detachably attached to an light emitting apparatus, and a wire fixing member attaching the guidewire to the adapter member, in which the wire fixing member has an outer diameter equal to or smaller than an outer diameter of the guidewire.