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From Laser Physics to Clinical Utilization: Design and Ablative Properties of Cardiovascular Laser Catheters

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Lasers in Cardiovascular Interventions

Abstract

Although the notion of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) first appeared in the early 1980’s, almost 10 years passed before the technique became commercially available. As with many new technologies, improvements in the clinical application of ELA relied on the interplay among several technical disciplines. Understanding the biophysics of laser-tissue interaction, designing fiberoptic catheters that leveraged that understanding, and developing clinical technique required to use those catheters successfully, were required to advance the practice of ELA. That interplay created a relentless drive for improvement as challenges and disappointments were addressed with new understanding and updated catheter designs.

This chapter attempts to unravel the historically complex interplay into a rational sequence of concepts. A short review of laser biophysics leads naturally to the clinical technique required to apply the technology. In turn, the clinical implication of tissue photoablation leads to advancements in catheter designs, which will be covered in detail. Lastly, the possibilities for applying optimized laser catheters to a wider variety of clinical situations will be discussed. More than three decades since excimer laser coronary atherectomy appeared, we find that the hard-won lessons from the past still guide us toward optimization of debulking with ELA and improved patient care.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering, CEA Medical Manufacturing, 1735 Merchants Court, Colorado Springs, CO, 80916, USA

    Kevin D. Taylor BS (Director)

  2. Quality Assurance, Acutus Medical, Inc., 10840, Thornmint Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92127, USA

    Christopher Reiser BA, PhD (Vice President)

Authors
  1. Kevin D. Taylor BS
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  2. Christopher Reiser BA, PhD
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Correspondence to Kevin D. Taylor BS or Christopher Reiser BA, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

    On Topaz

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Taylor, K.D., Reiser, C. (2015). From Laser Physics to Clinical Utilization: Design and Ablative Properties of Cardiovascular Laser Catheters. In: Topaz, O. (eds) Lasers in Cardiovascular Interventions. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5220-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5220-0_1

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