Medical device for applying high energy light and heat for gynecological sterilization procedures

• US 5,897,551 A
• Filed: 11/21/1994
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myriadlase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Myriadlase Incorporated
• Inventors: Everett, Royice B., Bruce, Johnny M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/343,093
• Time in Patent Office: 1,618 Days
• Field of Search: 606/15-17, 606/14, 607/93
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0007 Pyrometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4233 Operations on Fallopian tubes, e.g. sterilization A61B2017/1125 takes precedence

Abstract

A localized heat applying medical device is provided for applying heat to tissue adjacent a patient'"'"'s tubal ostia in order to close the patient'"'"'s fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient. Procedures of performing sterilizations are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A medical device for transmitting light energy to a patient'"'"'s tissue, said device comprising:

an elongated light transmitting conduit comprising an optical fiber, said conduit having a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source and a distal end formed by a portion of said optical fiber;

an enlarged orb portion integrally formed on said distal end by material forming a portion of said optical fiber;

an elongated cylindrical portion extending distally from said enlarged portion from material forming a portion of said optical fiber, said cylindrical portion being smaller in diameter than said orb portion; and

aperture means on said elongated portion for allowing at least a portion of light to pass therethrough when the light is transmitted through said conduit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said aperture means is characterized by a polished tip of said elongated portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of said enlarged portion is at least partially frosted.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein outer surfaces of said enlarged portion and said elongated portion are at least partially frosted.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said enlarged portion is sized for positioning adjacent a patient'"'"'s tubal ostia such that light energy transmitted through said conduit may be used to close a fallopian tube of the patient and thereby sterilize the patient.

6. A medical device for transmitting light energy to tissue adjacent a patient'"'"'s tubal ostia in order to close the patient'"'"'s fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient, said medical device comprising:

an elongated light transmitting conduct comprising an optical fiber, said conduct having a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source and a distal end formed from a portion of said optical fiber;

an orb portion integrally formed on said distal end from material forming a portion of said optical fiber; and

an elongated cylindrical portion integrally formed on said distal end from material forming a portion of said optical fiber and extending distally form said orb portion, said cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than said orb portion.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said optical fiber comprises:

a core;

a cladding disposed around said core; and

a jacket disposed around said cladding;

wherein;

a bare portion of said core extends from said cladding and jacket; and

said orb portion and said elongated portion are integrally formed with said bare core portion from material forming a portion of said bare core portion.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein an outside diameter of said orb portion is approximately twice an outside diameter of said elongated portion.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein:

said orb portion has an outside diameter of about 2,000 microns; and

said elongated portion has an outside diameter of about 1,000 microns.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of outer surfaces of said elongated portion and said orb portion are frosted.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein:

a radially outer surface of said elongated portion is frosted; and

approximately an outwardly facing half of said orb portion is frosted.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein a length of said elongated portion is no more than about one-half an outside diameter of said orb portion.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein:

a length of said elongated portion is in the range of about 0.75 millimeters to about 1.0 millimeters; and

said outside diameter of said orb portion is approximately two millimeters.

14. The device of claim 6 wherein said orb portion is substantially spherical.

15. A medical device for transmitting light energy to tissue adjacent a patient'"'"'s tubal ostia in order to close the patient'"'"'s fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient, said medical device comprising:

an elongated light transmitting conduit comprising an optical fiber, said conduit having a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source and a distal end formed from a portion of said optical fiber;

an orb portion integrally formed on said distal end from material forming a portion of said optical fiber; and

an elongated portion of said optical fiber extending outwardly from said orb portion, said elongated portion being substantially cylindrical.

16. A medical device for transmitting light energy to tissue adjacent a patient'"'"'s tubal ostia in order to close the patient'"'"'s fallopian tubes and sterilize the patient, said medical device comprising:

an elongated light transmitting conduit comprising an optical fiber, said conduit having a proximal end adapted for connection to a light energy source and a distal end formed from a portion of said optical fiber;

an orb portion integrally formed on said distal end from material forming a portion of said optical fiber; and

an elongated portion of said optical fiber extending outwardly from said orb portion, said elongated portion having an outwardly facing end which is polished to form a light transmitting aperture.