MEDICAL

Trimedyne Inc., a Santa Ana maker of laser catheters, has introduced a portable, air-cooled system that chills laser machines used in treating heart diseases.

The company said its system, which cools the machines that produce the energy used by lasers, is the only air-cooled system to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cardiovascular use.

Trimedyne President Howard K. Cooper said the air-cooled technology makes the company’s system more compact than traditional water-cooled systems, which also require plumbing accessories.

Cooper said the system was developed with MBB of West Germany, which is also manufacturing the product.