BIOMEDICINE

‘Cold’ Laser Catheter: Trimedyne Inc. is “hedging its bets” on what form of laser technology will win the allegiance of physicians looking for a tool to unclog blocked arteries in the heart and limbs. The Tustin company, which already has approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market a thermal-type laser-assisted catheter, is also conducting tests on two varieties of so-called “cold” laser catheters, which use laser beams to remove plaque without creating much heat. On Wednesday, the company said it had received FDA approval to begin human clinical trials of a cold laser to open partially blocked blood vessels. Several weeks ago, it received similar approval to begin testing a cold laser on fully blocked vessels.