Diode Laser Induced Vapor/Plasma Mediated Medical Procedures and Device

• US 20110224660A1
• Filed: 12/02/2009
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biolitec Unternehmensbeteiligungs II AG
• Original Assignee: CeramOptec Industries Incorporated (Biolitec AG)
• Inventors: Neuberger, Wolfgang, Cecchetti, Walter
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/207 mixing two wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/263 the conversion of laser energy into mechanical shockwaves taking place in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00

Abstract

An improved method and device for safe and efficient medical applications is provided. In a preferred embodiment, based on using the inherent benefits of laser diodes (such as efficient power generation from a reliable and compact solid state device), plasmas and high energy vapors are produced for medical applications with power levels and power densities sufficient to treat medical indications and avoid the creation of extensive damage zones. Transmissions means in different configurations are used to achieve a high power density, which is able to initiate plasma and high-energy vapor at the tip. Once a sparkless plasma and high energy vapor bubbles are formed, it is often found that it will also absorb other wavelengths in addition to the one that initiated it. As a consequence, other wavelengths more efficiently generated by diodes or diode pumped lasers may be added into the beam in order to improve treatment efficiency. For example, the 1470 nm wavelength can be used to produces sparkler-less plasma bubbles, together with the 980 nm wavelength to produce tissue vaporization and an excellent haemostasis effect. Once plasma and or high-energy vapors are in place, radiation from this zone determine tissue effects. In another embodiment, high peak power pulsed radiation is used. Wavelengths of 1470 nm, 1940 nm, or 1550 nm are preferred. Additionally it can be applied in combination with another wavelength with medium absorption in water such as 980 nm. In another embodiment a concentric double core fiber is used, in which the ignition radiation is guided in near single mode, inner core and the radiation used to maintain and enhance the pulse is guided into the surrounding second outer core.

Claims

1. A medical laser device for enhanced medical treatment comprising:

At least one laser light source; and

A transmission medium, having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said proximal end is in optical contact with said at least one light source, and said distal end is near a treatment site;

Wherein, said at least one diode laser source emits at least one wavelength that is highly absorbed at said treatment site; and

Wherein in operation, a plasma and/or high energy vapor bubble region is formed at said distal end of said transmission medium in close proximity to a tissue treatment site.

2. The medical laser device according to claim 1, further including means to enter a patient'"'"'s body, for example through a urinary tract.

3. The medical laser device according to claim 1, wherein said transmission medium is at least one optical fiber.

4. The medical laser device according to claim 1, wherein said laser light source is operable in pulsed mode, in continuous mode or in a combination of these modes.

5. The medical laser device according to claim 1, wherein said laser is a diode laser, operating at about either 980±

60 nm, 1470±

60 nm, or 1940±

60 nm.

6. The laser system, according to claim 3, wherein said at least one optical fiber has a double core structure, wherein one laser wavelength travels in an inner core and a second wavelength is transmitted in an outer core.

7. The laser system according to claim 5, wherein at least two of the preferred wavelengths are employed in combination:

980 nm and 1470 nm;

980 nm and 1940 nm or 1470 nm and 1940 nm.

8. The laser system according to claim 3, wherein one laser is a fiber laser and a second laser is a pump laser for said fiber laser, and wherein beams from both lasers are transmitted by at least one optical fiber.

9. The laser system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one optical fiber has a concentric core structure, wherein said fiber laser wavelength travels in an inner core and a pump laser wavelength is transmitted in an outer core.

10. The laser system according to claim 8, wherein said fiber laser emits at about 1550 nm, and said pump laser emits at either about 915-980 nm or at about 1480 nm.

11. The medical laser device according to claim 1, wherein said laser light source is a thulium laser operating in a continuous or semi-continuous mode.

12. The medical laser device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one optical fiber is a twister fiber.

13. A medical treatment utilizing a plasma and/or high energy vapor bubble, generated by transmitting energy generated by suitably powerful energy source through a transmission medium to its distal end, which is in the vicinity of a tissue to be treated, to achieve desired medical effects in said tissue such as vaporization, coagulation, ablation, cutting, or other medical effect.

14. The medical treatment according to claim 13, wherein said energy source is operated in pulsed mode, in continuous mode or in a combination of these modes.