Mid-infrared laser endoscope

• US 5,147,354 A
• Filed: 07/25/1991
• Issued: 09/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumenis Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Coherent Inc (Coherent Corp.)
• Inventors: Boutacoff, Theodore A., Nelsen, Thomas S., Buzawa, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/735,819
• Time in Patent Office: 418 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 optical cable for performing endoscopic and arthroscopic surgery.

Claims

1. A method of performing an endoscopic 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 the 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 of performing an endoscopic 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

ablating the tissue with the laser beam while the tissue is maintained in a fluid field.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YAG laser.

6. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YLF laser.

7. A method of performing a surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a fiber optic cable with an input end and a delivery end, with the fiber optic cable being surrounded by an elongated tubular member;

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

directing the beam into the input end of the fiber optic cable;

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

ablating the tissue with the laser beam while the tissue is maintained in a fluid field.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YAG laser.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the laser beam is generated by a Ho:

YLF laser.