Mid-infrared laser arthroscopic procedure

• US 5,037,421 A
• Filed: 12/12/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumenis Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Coherent Incorporated Medical Group
• Inventors: Nelson, Thomas S., Buzawa, David M., Boutacoff, Theodore A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/626,388
• Time in Patent Office: 237 Days
• Field of Search: 128/395-398, 606/3, 606/13-16, 372/41
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence

Abstract

A Ho:YAG laser is coupled to a needle tip through a flexible, fiber optic cable for performing endoscopic and arthroscopic surgery.

Claims

1. A method of performing an arthroscopic procedure comprising the steps of:

generating a laser beam having a wavelength of between 1.8 and 2.2 microns;

directing the beam into one end of a fiber optic cable, with the other end of the fiber optic cable defining the delivery end thereof;

positioning the delivery end of the fiber optic cable adjacent the tissue to be ablated by the laser beam; and

irrigating the tissue with a liquid medium as it is being ablated by a laser beam.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YAG laser.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YLF laser.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fiber optic cable is a 200-600 micron diameter, low-OH, silica optic fiber.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fiber optic cable is a 200-600 micron diameter, plastic clad silica optic fiber.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the delivery end of the fiber optic cable is threaded through and supported by a fitting.