Economical, two component, thermal energy delivery and surface cooling apparatus and its method of use
First Claim
1. A modular device suitable for creating a transforming effect upon tissue underlying an endothelial surface, the device comprising:
- a laser energy delivery component including an optical fiber terminating in a lateral laser emitter, said optical fiber having a proximal end portion adapted to be coupled to a laser source;
a disposable coolant component having a cannula for receiving said laser energy component and terminating in an energy-transmissive balloon for surrounding said emitter and providing a tissue-contacting coolant chamber, said cannula defining a coolant passageway in communication with said balloon and said balloon being fixed to a distal end of said cannula,wherein said cannula is moveably sealed around said optical fiber.
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Abstract
The present invention is embodied in a medical device which is comprised of a thermal energy delivery component, for example, including an elongate optical fiber terminating in a lateral laser energy emitter, and an outer coolant component, which includes a cannula for receiving the thermal energy delivery component, which terminates in an energy-transmissive balloon for surrounding the thermal energy emitter and providing a tissue-contacting coolant chamber. The cannula portion of the coolant component is moveably sealed around the laser energy delivery component. In one embodiment, a retaining means prevents the thermal energy delivery component from being detached from the coolant component. In an alternate embodiment, there is no retaining means, allowing the more costly thermal energy delivery component to be removed, sterilized and later reused, whereas the less costly outer coolant component, which contacts tissue, blood and body liquids, can be discarded after use.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A modular device suitable for creating a transforming effect upon tissue underlying an endothelial surface, the device comprising:
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a laser energy delivery component including an optical fiber terminating in a lateral laser emitter, said optical fiber having a proximal end portion adapted to be coupled to a laser source; a disposable coolant component having a cannula for receiving said laser energy component and terminating in an energy-transmissive balloon for surrounding said emitter and providing a tissue-contacting coolant chamber, said cannula defining a coolant passageway in communication with said balloon and said balloon being fixed to a distal end of said cannula, wherein said cannula is moveably sealed around said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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2. The device according to claim 2 wherein said lateral laser emitter comprises a distal end of said optical fiber beveled at an angle in the range of about 35 to 45 degrees and enclosed in a capillary tube to create an environment opposite the beveled surface of a sufficiently different refractive index than that of the optical fiber to cause the radiant energy to, be internally reflected laterally from the axis of said optical fiber.
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25. A modular device suitable for creating a transforming effect upon tissue underlying an endothelial surface, the device comprising:
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a thermal energy delivery component including an optical fiber terminating in a lateral emitter, said optical fiber having a proximal end portion adapted to be coupled to a thermal energy source; a disposable coolant component having a cannula for receiving said energy component and terminating in an energy-transmissive balloon for surrounding said emitter and providing a tissue-contacting coolant chamber, said cannula defining a coolant passageway in communication with said balloon and said balloon being fixed to a distal end of said cannula, wherein said cannula is moveably sealed around said optical fiber and wherein said energy delivery component and said coolant component have complementary dimensions to prevent detachment of said delivery component from said coolant component.
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26. A method for making a transforming effect upon tissue underlying an endothelial surface, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a thermal energy delivery component including an optical fiber terminating in a lateral thermal energy emitter, said optical fiber having a proximal end portion coupled to a source of thermal energy; (b) providing a coolant component having a cannula for receiving said laser delivery component and terminating in an energy-transmissive balloon for surrounding said emitter and creating a tissue-contacting coolant chamber, said cannula defining a coolant passageway in communication with said balloon and said balloon being fixed to a distal end of said cannula; (c) positioning said energy-transmissive balloon adjacent tissue to be treated, said emitter being at least partially surrounded by said balloon; (d) supplying coolant through said passageway to expand said balloon and contact said tissue; (e) cooling said tissue for a predetermined time period; and (f) supplying thermal energy from said thermal energy source through said optical fiber to said tissue through said coolant balloon for a period of time and at a thermal energy intensity sufficient to transform said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification