Medical laser device and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a laser source within a housing for emitting laser light;
(b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said laser source and an opposite distal end; and
(c) transmission means for transmitting light energy from said laser source to said proximal end of said probe extension, said transmission means including a plurality of light horns, each light horn having a proximal end which is proximate to said laser source, said light horns receiving laser radiation from said laser source and amplifying said radiation by converging it.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for conducting laser emulsification surgery are disclosed. Laser energy is generated within the hand held member (10) and is transmitted to the probe cylinder (15) at the distal end of the device (2). The apparatus is a hand held device which contains a laser light source and flashlamp (12) for generating and emitting the laser radiation. Preferably, an Erbium YAG laser is utilized. A light horn arrangement (18) or mirror arrangement (51) transmits the light energy from the source (12) to the proximal end of a probe extension member (15). The distal tip (31) of the probe extension member (15) is directed to the cataract or other target to be emulsified.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a laser source within a housing for emitting laser light; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said laser source and an opposite distal end; and (c) transmission means for transmitting light energy from said laser source to said proximal end of said probe extension, said transmission means including a plurality of light horns, each light horn having a proximal end which is proximate to said laser source, said light horns receiving laser radiation from said laser source and amplifying said radiation by converging it. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a plurality of laser rods for emitting laser light, said plurality of laser rods being positioned within a housing in a manner parallel to and surrounding a central longitudinal flashlamp, said housing having a reflective inner walls; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said plurality of laser rods and an opposite distal end; and (c) transmission means for transmitting light energy from each of said laser rods to said proximal end of said probe extension, said transmission means including a plurality of mirrors, said mirrors receiving laser radiation from said plurality of laser rods and amplifying said radiation by converging it; and (d) a lens which receives light from said mirrors; and (e) an optical cylinder element removably mounted in said probe extension;
said lens converging light onto said optical cylinder element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for emitting laser light, said emitting means including a longitudinal flashlamp and a plurality of laser rods positioned within a housing, said laser light emitting means generating laser light having a wavelength of approximately 2.9-3.1 micrometers; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said laser light emitting means and an opposite distal end; (c) transmission means for transmitting said light from said laser emitting means to said proximal end of said probe extension including a plurality of light horns, each light horn having a proximal end which is proximate to an end of one of said laser rods, said light horns receiving laser radiation from said laser rods and amplifying said radiation by converging it; and (d) cooling means proximate said laser rods for cooling said laser light emitting means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, said apparatus comprising:
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a) light emitting means comprising a flashlamp and a plurality of parallel laser rods surround said flashlamp, said laser rods being positioned within a housing to minimize interstitial spacing between adjacent rods; b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said laser light emitting means and opposite distal end; c) an elongate optical cylinder element constructed of calcium fluoride mounted in said probe extension, said optical cylinder element having a probe tip projecting outwardly from said probe extension; and d) transmission means for transmitting said laser light from said laser light emitting means to said proximal end of said probe extension.
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22. A handheld apparatus for conducting laser emulsification and microsurgery, said apparatus, comprising:
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(a) handheld means for emitting laser light comprising a housing containing a plurality of laser rods surrounding a longitudinal flashlamp; (b) a solid inflexible probe extension with a first end proximate said laser rods and a second end constructed and arranged for operative use at emulsification and surgical sites; and (c) coupling means for coupling said laser light emanating from said laser rods into said probe extension, whereby said laser light is transmitted to said emulsification and surgical site.
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23. A handheld apparatus for conducting laser surgery, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for emitting laser light comprising a plurality of Erbium YAG laser rods positioned around and parallel to a flashlamp, said flashlamp and said laser rods being located in a common housing suitable for manipulation by a surgeon'"'"'s hand independent of any other support; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said means for emitting laser light and an opposite distal end; and (c) transmission means for transmitting said laser light from said laser rods to said proximal end of said probe extension.
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24. A handheld apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, comprising:
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(a) means for emitting laser light comprising a flashlamp and a laser rod each positioned with a common housing, said common housing comprising an ergonomically constructed housing suitable for manipulation and use by a user'"'"'s hand independent of any other support structure; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said means for emitting laser light and an opposite distal end, said probe extension comprising an extension cylinder probe constructed of solid material; and (d) transmission means for transmitting said laser light from said laser rod to said proximal end of said probe extension whereby said laser light is then transmitted to a laser emulsification surgical site. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A handheld apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, comprising:
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(a) means for emitting laser light comprising a flashlamp and a laser rod each positioned within a common housing, said common housing comprising an ergonomically constructed housing suitable for manipulation and use by a user'"'"'s hand independent of any other support structure; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said means for emitting laser light and an opposite distal end, said probe extension comprising; (i) an extension cylinder probe constructed of solid material; and (ii) a mounting and release mechanism for mounting said extension cylinder probe in said probe extension and for selectively and readily releasing said extension cylinder probe to facilitate sterilization; and (c) transmission means for transmitting said laser light from said laser rod to said proximal end of said probe extension whereby said laser light is then transmitted to a laser emulsification surgical site.
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27. A handheld apparatus for conducting laser emulsification surgery, comprising:
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(a) means for emitting laser light comprising a central longitudinal flashlamp and a plurality of laser rods positioned parallel to said flashlamp, said flashlamp and said laser rods being located within a housing comprising a reflective inner wall, said laser rods being positioned in close proximity to said reflective inner wall and to adjacent rods, said housing being constructed and arranged for operative support and surgical manipulation by a user'"'"'s hand independent of any other support; (b) a probe extension mounted on said housing, said probe extension having a proximal end proximate said means for emitting laser light and an opposite distal end; and (c) transmission means for transmitting said laser light from said laser rods to said proximal end of said probe extension.
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Specification