Side firing fiber optic laser probe
First Claim
1. A fiber optic probe for delivering laser light comprising:
- an optical fiber having an input end and a delivery end, with the delivery end including a means for redirecting light travelling down the fiber in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner to exit the fiber through a side surface thereof; and
said fiber includes a central core and an outer clad having a first radius of curvature, wherein a portion of the outer clad forming the side surface of the fiber is provided with a beam controlling surface to control at least one of divergence, convergence and collimation of the laser light passing through said side surface, said beam controlling surface having a second radius of curvature that is different than said first radius of curvature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A side firing fiber optic probe is disclosed. The delivery end of the probe is provided with an angled face oriented to totally internally reflect the treatment beam out of the side surface of the fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof. The delivery end of the probe is further configured to reduce secondary reflections which occur as the light strikes the side surface of the fiber. This result can be achieved by modifying the shape of the cladding material which surrounds the fiber core. In one approach, the ratio of the diameters of the clad to the core is increased. Other specific cladding configurations for reducing reflections can be used. In a further alternative, the surface of a glass capillary which surrounds the fiber can be optically coupled to the fiber. Each of these approaches functions to reduce unwanted light leakage from the fiber. In another aspect of the probe design, a stainless steel shield is provided which functions to protect the capillary and the fiber against cavitation effects which occur during use.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A fiber optic probe for delivering laser light comprising:
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an optical fiber having an input end and a delivery end, with the delivery end including a means for redirecting light travelling down the fiber in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner to exit the fiber through a side surface thereof; and said fiber includes a central core and an outer clad having a first radius of curvature, wherein a portion of the outer clad forming the side surface of the fiber is provided with a beam controlling surface to control at least one of divergence, convergence and collimation of the laser light passing through said side surface, said beam controlling surface having a second radius of curvature that is different than said first radius of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fiber optic probe for delivering laser light comprising:
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an optical fiber having an input end and a delivery end, with the delivery end including a reflecting face disposed at a non-normal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner so that light travelling down the fiber will be reflected at the face and redirected in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner to exit the fiber through a side surface thereof; and said fiber includes a central core and an outer clad having a first radius of curvature, wherein a portion of the outer clad forming the side surface of the fiber is provided with a beam controlling surface to control at least one of divergence, convergence and collimation of the laser light passing through said side surface, said beam controlling surface having a second radius of curvature that is different than said first radius of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fiber optic probe for delivering laser light comprising:
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an optical fiber having an input end and a delivery end, with the delivery end including a reflecting face disposed at a non-normal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fiber; a transparent capillary surrounding the delivery end of the fiber and creating an air pocket adjacent the reflecting face of the fiber so that light travelling down the fiber will be totally internally reflected at the angled face and redirected in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner to exit the fiber through a side surface thereof; and a rigid, self-supporting, shield mounted to said fiber and surrounding at least a portion of the capillary along the side surface of the fiber, said shield including an opening to permit the transmission of light therethrough, said shield functioning to protect the capillary against destructive shockwave forces during use. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25)
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22. A fiber optic probe for delivering light comprising:
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an elongated core for transmitting light, said core having an input end and a delivery end; a clad surrounding the core; means located at the delivery end of the core for redirecting the light travelling down the core in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the core in a manner to exit the core and clad through side surfaces thereof, and wherein an outer surface of the clad in a region of said side surface including a non-convex curvature to alter a propagation path of the light transmitted therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A fiber optic probe for delivering laser light comprising:
an optical fiber having an input end and a delivery end, with the delivery end including a reflecting face disposed at a non-normal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner so that light travelling down the fiber will be reflected at the face and redirected in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiber in a manner to exit the fiber through a side surface thereof, said reflecting face is non-planar to alter at least one of divergence, convergence and collimation of the light reflected thereby. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
Specification