Two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for delivering optical radiation to a tissue of a patient, comprising:
- a first optical waveguide defining a first axis along a longitudinal dimension of said first optical waveguide, said first optical waveguide configured to deliver optical radiation to a liquid-containing region adjacent to the tissue along the first axis so as to form a vapor bubble in the liquid-containing region;
a second optical waveguide configured to deliver optical radiation to the tissue through the vapor bubble;
a light deflector arranged to redirect the optical radiation from said second optical waveguide but not from said first optical waveguide along a second axis divergent from said first axis, anda chamber having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel with the first axis, said first and second optical waveguides being attached to said chamber.
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Abstract
A two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator in which a first pulse delivered by a first optical waveguide is used to irradiate a liquid-containing region to form a vapor bubble; a second pulse, delivered by a second optical waveguide, is then passed through the vapor bubble and used to incise a tissue of a patient. The illuminating device can be used to effectively deliver radiation to tissue positioned laterally relative to the axis of the delivery fibers, and allows a reduction in the attenuation of the radiation by the surrounding liquid.
81 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering optical radiation to a tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a first optical waveguide defining a first axis along a longitudinal dimension of said first optical waveguide, said first optical waveguide configured to deliver optical radiation to a liquid-containing region adjacent to the tissue along the first axis so as to form a vapor bubble in the liquid-containing region; a second optical waveguide configured to deliver optical radiation to the tissue through the vapor bubble; a light deflector arranged to redirect the optical radiation from said second optical waveguide but not from said first optical waveguide along a second axis divergent from said first axis, and a chamber having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel with the first axis, said first and second optical waveguides being attached to said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification