Methods and apparatuses for treating a vulnerable plaque are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, the exemplary apparatus includes a medical device to treat a vulnerable plaque within a body lumen, where the medical device is adapted to position a rupturing device to rupture a fibrous cap of a vulnerable plaque. In one particular embodiment, the medical device includes a rupturing wire having a predetermined pattern to enable the rupturing device to rupture the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.