Fig. 2.

Carotid stenosis treated using a novel carotid stenting device with integrated optical technology. (A) Distal embolization protection system that captures all possible blood-clots during the procedure to prevent strokes. (B) Saline filled angioplasty balloon used to first widen the narrowed artery. An optical imaging catheter images the plaque through the dual lumen balloon after angioplasty. (C) The carotid atherosclerotic disease that is responsible for artery narrowing and producing blood-clots, which cause strokes in the brain. (D) The carotid stent, which will be placed to keep the narrowed artery open. (E) Proximal dual lumen balloon that will be inflated at various times during the procedure for proximal blood-flow arrest to prevent blood-clots from traveling to the brain. ICA, Internal carotid artery; ECA, external carotid artery; CCA, common carotid artery.