Laser angioplasty catheter and a method for use thereof

The disclosure relates to a device for use in removing undesired material, e.g., an occlusion or plaque, from a duct or blood vessel within a patient's body. The device comprises a catheter adapted to be disposed within a duct and having a distal end portion with a tip and a tapered surface extending from the tip to the side of the catheter. The catheter has a lumen extending through the length thereof. The intersection of the lumen and the tapered surface forming an elongated opening. Pulsed laser energy is applied by an optical fiber extending through the lumen to the elongated openings and thereby the undesired material. An inflatable bladder is provided for positioning the distal end portion of the catheter adjacent the inner surface of the duct to position the elongated opening adjacent the undesired material to be removed. A filament extending through the catheter and connected to the distal end portion can be rotated at the proximal end of the catheter to rotatably position the distal portion thereof.