Method and apparatus for laser medical treatment
First Claim
1. A medical treatment apparatus comprising an outer tube having a treatment end for disposal at a treatment zone in a patient and remote end opposite to the treatment end, and a plurality of flexible inner tubes disposed in a high energy retracted state at least partially within said outer tube, each inner tube having an optical fiber accommodating hole extending lengthwise therein, each inner tube being non-linear when unconstrained, the high energy retracted state corresponding to each inner tube being constrained by said outer tube, the high energy retracted state of each inner tube corresponding to each inner tube having a shape different from its shape when unconstrained, and wherein said inner tubes are movable relative to said outer tube to cause each inner tube to assume a non-linear extended position at least partly within said outer tube for application of laser energy using a beam which is not parallel with the outer tube, and further comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber corresponding to one of said inner tubes and disposed within the optical fiber accommodating hole of said corresponding one of said inner tubes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tumor or other condition within a patient is treated by the application of laser energy through multiple optical fibers, all of which are disposed within a general guiding or outer tube. The optical fibers extend to within the patient by way of a single burr hole. Specifically, each optical fiber is disposed within a corresponding inner tube and each inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and is movable with respect to the outer tube. Each of the inner tubes is flexible and has a permanent bend disposed therein. Each inner tube is placed within the patient by way of the outer tube with the inner tube in a retracted or high energy state. In the retracted or high energy state, each inner tube is bent into a position constrained by the outer tube. Upon the outer tube being positioned at the tumor or other treatment zone, relative movement between the inner tubes and the outer tube frees the inner tubes from being constrained in the high energy or retracted state. The inner tubes then resume their low energy or relaxed state. Since the optical fibers are within the inner tubes, the optical fibers then assume an orientation as determined by the relaxed state of the inner tubes. Laser energy can be supplied through the optical fibers to create a treatment zone much larger than would otherwise be available from a single burr hole.
47 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A medical treatment apparatus comprising an outer tube having a treatment end for disposal at a treatment zone in a patient and remote end opposite to the treatment end, and a plurality of flexible inner tubes disposed in a high energy retracted state at least partially within said outer tube, each inner tube having an optical fiber accommodating hole extending lengthwise therein, each inner tube being non-linear when unconstrained, the high energy retracted state corresponding to each inner tube being constrained by said outer tube, the high energy retracted state of each inner tube corresponding to each inner tube having a shape different from its shape when unconstrained, and wherein said inner tubes are movable relative to said outer tube to cause each inner tube to assume a non-linear extended position at least partly within said outer tube for application of laser energy using a beam which is not parallel with the outer tube, and further comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber corresponding to one of said inner tubes and disposed within the optical fiber accommodating hole of said corresponding one of said inner tubes.
-
13. A method of laser treatment comprising the steps of:
-
inserting the treatment end of an outer tube at a treatment zone in a patient, said outer tube having a remote end opposite to the treatment end; changing each of a plurality of flexible inner tubes from a high energy retracted state at least partially within the outer tube to a non-linear extended position at least partially within said outer tube, said changing step performed by moving said outer tube relative to said inner tubes; and applying laser energy to the treatment zone by way of a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber extending in an optical fiber accommodating hole extending lengthwise in a corresponding one of the inner tubes and having a beam exiting from it which is not parallel with the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification