CPC A61B 17/22022 (2013.01) [A61B 18/24 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22021 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22025 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22038 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0022 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00404 (2013.01); A61B 2018/263 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a blood vessel or a heart valve within a body of a patient, the catheter system comprising:
an energy source that generates energy;
a catheter fluid;
an emitter assembly including (i) at least a portion of an energy guide having a guide distal end that is selectively positioned near the treatment site, (ii) a plasma generator, and (iii) an emitter housing that is secured to each of the energy guide and the plasma generator to maintain a relative position between the guide distal end of the energy guide and the plasma generator, the energy guide being configured to receive energy from the energy source and direct the energy toward the plasma generator to generate a plasma bubble in the catheter fluid, the plasma generator being configured to direct energy from the plasma bubble toward the treatment site, and the emitter housing including (a) a first housing section that is secured to the energy guide at or near the guide distal end, (b) a second housing section that is secured to the plasma generator, and (c) a connector section that is coupled to and extends between the first housing section and the second housing section; and
adhesive material that (i) secures the first housing section to the energy guide at or near the guide distal end, and (ii) secures the second housing section to the plasma generator;
wherein each of the first housing section and the second housing section are substantially cylindrical-shaped; and
wherein the first housing section includes a housing gap that extends substantially along a length of the first housing section, the first housing section being configured to expand and contract due to changes in environmental conditions.
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