Multiwavelength medical laser method

• US 5,139,494 A
• Filed: 09/04/1991
• Issued: 08/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lares Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Premier Laser Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Freiberg, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US07/754,327
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 606/3, 606/7-12, 606/15, 606/16, 128/395-398
• US Class Current: 606/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/201 with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm through a flexible conduit A61B18/22; Hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00508 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00017 with gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2075 mixing three wavelengths

Abstract

A medical system for transmitting and delivering to a tissue site multiwavelength therapeutic radiant energy along a common optical pathway. Also included is a laser catheter suitable for engaging multiple sources of laser energy and transmitting multiwavelength therapeutic laser energy along a common optical path for delivery to a worksite.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

using a first laser to generate a first beam of electromagnetic energy having a first wavelength on the order of 3 microns;

using a second laser to generate a second beam of electromagnetic energy having a second wavelength on the order of 1 micron;

coupling energy from said first laser to a metal halide optical fiber;

coupling energy from said second laser to said metal halide optical fiber;

guiding said energy having said first wavelength along said metal halide optical fiber at a dosage which cuts tissue;

guiding said energy having said second wavelength along said metal halide optical fiber at a dosage which coagulates tissue;

cutting tissue using said energy at said first wavelength; and

coagulating tissue using said energy at said second wavelength.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said metal halide fiber has a distal end, said method additionally comprising:

cooling said distal end by transmitting a fluid along said metal halide optical fiber to said distal end.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said fluid comprises a gas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first wavelength is about 2.9 microns.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second wavelength is about 1.06 microns.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of generating said second wavelength comprises the step of energizing a neodymium laser.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said metal halide optical fiber comprises zirconium fluoride.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating said first wavelength comprises the step of energizing an HF laser that produces a wavelength of about 2.9 microns.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said guiding steps are performed simultaneously and said cutting and coagulating steps are performed simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of cutting tissue comprises cutting bone.