Laser-powered surgical device with a vibrating crystalline tip

• US 4,729,373 A
• Filed: 12/18/1986
• Issued: 03/08/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gholam A. Peyman
• Original Assignee: Gholam A. Peyman
• Inventors: Peyman, Gholam A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/943,065
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303.1, 128/395-398, 128/24 A, 604/22
• US Class Current: 606/4
• 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 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00017 with gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2005 with beam delivery through an interstitially insertable device, e.g. needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00865 Sclera
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00872 Cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00821 for coagulation

Abstract

A laser-powered surgical device with a vibrating crystalline tip for directly engaging the tissue to be treated. The device comprises a hollow handle, a laser energy transmitting conduit received in the handle and having first and second ends extending out of the handle, the first end engaging the tissue to be treated and the second end coupled to a laser energy generator, and a vibration assembly for vibrating the conduit'"'"'s first end relative to the handle. The vibration assembly is driven mechanically or ultrasonically. The conduit'"'"'s first end comprises the crystalline tip which is formed of sapphire, glass, quartz or ruby.

Claims

1. A surgical device adapted to be connected to a laser energy generator, the combination comprising:

a hollow handle having first and second open ends;

a laser energy transmitting conduit received in said hollow handle,

said conduit having a first end extending from said handle through said first open end and adapted to engage tissue to be treated, and a second end extending from said handle through said second open end and adapted to be connected to a laser energy generator; and

means, coupled to said handle and said conduit, for vibrating said conduit first end relative to said handle.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said handle has a longitudinal axis, and

same means for vibrating includes means for oscillating said first end laterally of said longitudinal axis.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein

said means for vibrating further includes means for oscillating said first end axially of said longitudinal axis.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said handle has a longitudinal axis, and

said means for vibraing includes means for oscillating said first end axially of said longitudinal axis.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said means for vibrating includes a cam and means for rotating said cam.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said means for vibrating includes an ultrasonic transducer.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said laser energy transmitting conduit comprises an optical fiber.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein

said laser energy transmitting conduit first end comprises a crystal and means for coupling said crystal to said optical fiber.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said laser energy transmitting conduit first end comprises a crystal.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire, glass, quartz and ruby.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal has a distal end which is flat.

12. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal has a distal end which is curved.

13. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal has a distal end which is pointed.

14. A device according to claim 9, wherein said crystal has a distal end, and

said crystal tapers inwardly towards said distal end thereof.

15. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal has a distal end which is substantially cylindrical.

16. A device according to claim 9, wherein

said crystal has a substantially rectangular cross section.