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Tissue slitting methods and systems

  • US 10,531,891 B2
  • Filed: 03/14/2013
  • Issued: 01/14/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tissue slitting apparatus comprising:

  • a laser light source configured to generate light energy;

    a shaft configured to be coupled to the laser light source, wherein the shaft is flexible, the shaft having;

    a proximal end;

    a distal end;

    a first inner lumen running from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to receive at least one implanted object;

    an axis running along the first inner lumen of the shaft;

    a second inner lumen disposed radially outward of the first inner lumen; and

    at least one optical fiber carried by the shaft and exposed distally to the distal end of the shaft, the at least one optical fiber being configured to receive the light energy from the laser light source, and wherein the at least one optical fiber, upon being exposed distally to the distal end of the shaft, comprises a predetermined structure comprising;

    a first section extending through the second inner lumen and parallel to the axis running along the first inner lumen of the shaft;

    an elbow section, wherein the elbow section comprises a first leg having a first end and a second leg having a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to and extending from the first section and disposed distally relative to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the first leg and the second leg form an acute angle such that the first end of the elbow and the second end of the elbow are oriented in a proximal direction, wherein the first end is directed toward the second inner lumen; and

    a second section coupled to the second end of the elbow and disposed proximally relative to the elbow, the second section partially disposed within the first inner lumen of the shaft, the second section extending at the acute angle relative to the first section and toward the axis running along the first inner lumen of the shaft, the second section configured to emit the light energy transversely toward the axis to slit tissue at least partially surrounding the implanted object while the implanted object is disposed in the first inner lumen.

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