Handheld laser system emitting visible non-visible radiation

• US 6,724,958 B1
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Science & Engineering Associates, Inc. (Perspecta, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tocci, Michael D., Saggese, Steven J., German, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/235,487
• Time in Patent Office: 1,915 Days
• Field of Search: 385/15-35, 385/115-125, 385/52, 606/1-17, 606/170, 606/180, 606/139, 606/194, 606/39, 606/108, 356/457, 356/41
• US Class Current: 385/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00517 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/202 Laser enclosed in a hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2211 Plurality of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence

Abstract

A laser system for use in medical, industrial, commercial or research applications in which the location and energy and power density of a nonvisible (e.g., infrared or ultraviolet) laser beam is defined by a plurality of visible beams. Collimating optics are used to direct both the nonvisible and visible beams on the target, such that when the visible beam is in focus on the target, the nonvisible beam has the optimum energy and power density. One implementation of the invention is a self-contained hand-held surgical laser that provides surgeons with the optimal laser beam parameters for laser tissue soldering.

Claims

1. A laser system comprising:

(a) a laser emitting nonvisible radiation optically connected to a first optical fiber, such that a nonvisible laser beam is transmitted through the optical fiber;

(b) at least one visible light source optically connected to a plurality of second optical fibers, such that a visible light beam is transmitted through each of the plurality of second optical fibers, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

(c) collimating optics, constituting collimating means for collimating the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, such than the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics, said distance being the distance at which the nonvisible laser beam has an optimum power density; and

(d) an optical fiber connector that connects the first optical fiber and the second optical fibers to the collimating optics, and that positions the first optical fiber at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers, such that the plurality of visible light beams surround and identify the position of the nonvisible laser beam.

2. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam as a function of distance from the output of the collimating optics is less than 30% over a range of 3 cm on either side of an optimum distance.

3. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the collimated plurality of visible light beams are in focus at approximately an optimum distance.

4. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the collimating optics comprise a lens with focal lengths selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is in focus at an optimum distance.

5. The laser system of claim 4, wherein the collimating optics comprise a lens with characteristics such that the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam is less than 50% over a range from one-half the optimum distance to one and a halt times the optimum distance.

6. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second optional fibers is at least six second optical fibers.

7. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second optical fibers consists of at least four optical fibers.

8. The laser system of claim 1 wherein after collimation the nonvisible laser beam is in an almost parallel beam 1.5 to 10 mm in diameter.

9. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the nonvisible laser beam is selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is absorbed by a chromophore.

10. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the nonvisible laser beam is selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is absorbed by a proteinbased solder.

11. A laser system comprising:

(a) a laser emitting nonvisible radiation optically connected to a plurality of first optical fibers, such that a nonvisible laser beam is transmitted through each of the plurality of first optical fibers, constituting a plurality of nonvisible laser beams;

(b) at least one visible light source optically connected to a plurality of second optical fibers, such that a visible light beam is transmitted through each of the plurality of second optical fibers constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

(c) collimating optics, constituting collimating means for collimating the plurality of nonvisible laser beams and the plurality of visible light beams such that the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics, said distance being the distance at which the plurality of nonvisible laser beams have an optimum power density; and

(d) an optical fiber connector that connects the plurality of first optical fibers and the plurality of second optical fibers to the collimating optics and that positions the plurality of first optical fibers at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers, such that the plurality of visible light beams surround and identify the position of the plurality of nonvisible laser beams.

12. The laser system of claim 11, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam as a function of distance from the output of the collimating optics is less than 30% over a range of 3 cm on either side of the optimum distance, and wherein the visible light beams are in focus at approximately the optimum distance.

13. The laser system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of second optical fibers consists of at least six optical fibers.

14. The laser system of claim 11, wherein after collimation each of the nonvisible laser beams is an almost parallel beam 1.5 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

15. A laser system comprising:

(a) a laser diode that emits a nonvisible laser beam;

(b) a first optical fiber receiving and transmitting the nonvisible laser beam; and

(c) a plurality of second optical fibers;

(d) at least one source of visible light optically coupled to the plurality of second optical fibers, each of the plurality of second optical fibers transmitting a visible light beam, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

(d) a fiber optic connector positioning the first optical fiber in the middle of the plurality of second optical fibers;

(e) collimating optics, constituting collimating means, receiving the plurality of visible light beams and the nonvisible laser beam from the plurality of second optical fibers and the first optical fiber, the visible light beams and the nonvisible laser beam being directed at the collimating optics by the fiber optic connector;

wherein the nonvisible laser beam is collimated by the collimating optics such that it has a relatively constant power density when the nonvisible laser beam is continuous, or a relatively constant energy density when the nonvisible laser beam is pulsed, over a range of 3 cm on either side of an optimum distance, and

wherein the collimating optics constitute means for focusing the plurality of visible light beams at the optimum distance.

16. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the nonvisible laser beam has a diameter of 1.5 mm to 10 min at the optimum distance.

17. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam is less than 50% over a range from one-half the optimum distance to one and a half times the optimum distance.

18. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the nonvisible laser beam has a linear structure.

19. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the nonvisible laser beam has a square structure.

20. A hand-held self-contained laser system compr

(a) a laser diode in a fan-cooled heat sink for emitting a nonvisible laser beam;

(b) a first optical fiber optically connected to the laser diode for transmitting the nonvisible laser beam;

(c) a plurality of second optical fibers;

(d) one or more light-emitting diodes emitting a visible light beam and optically connected to the plurality of second optical fibers for transmitting a plurality of visible light beams;

(e) a fiber optic connector which positions the first optical fiber in the center of the plurality of second optical fibers;

(f) collimating optics constituting collimating means, receiving the non visible-laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, the non visible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams being directed at the collimating optics by the fiber optic connector such that the nonvisible light beam is surrounded by the plurality of visible light beams that define the location of the nonvisible laser beam;

(g) a rechargeable battery providing power to the laser diode and the one or more light-emitting diodes; and

(h) an electronic circuit, electrically connected to a photodiode measuring the intensity of the nonvisible laser beam, said electronic circuit controlling the power to the laser diode by controlling the current to the laser diode according to a signal received from the photodiode representative of the intensity of the nonvisible laser beam,

wherein the nonvisible laser beam has an optimum power density at an optimum distance from the collimating optics, said optimum distance being the distance at which the visible light beams are in focus.

21. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, further comprising a display panel comprising a means for indicating the status of the rechargeable battery.

22. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the nonvisible laser beam is an almost parallel beam approximately 1.5 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

23. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the power density of the nonvisible laser beam is 4 to 50 w/cm².

24. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the energy density of the nonvisible laser beam is 2 to 25 joules/cm².

25. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the light-emitting diodes emit green light.

26. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the wavelength of the nonvisible beam is 800±

30 nanometers.

27. The hand-held self-contained laser system of claim 20, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam is less than 50% over a range from one-half the optimum distance to one and a half times the optimum distance.

28. A laser system comprising:

(a) a plurality of lasers emitting nonvisible radiation, wherein each one of said plurality of lasers is optically connected to one of a plurality of first optical fibers, such that a nonvisible laser beam is transmitted through each of the plurality of first optical fibers, constituting a plurality of nonvisible laser beams;

(b) at least one visible light source optically connected to a plurality of second optical fibers, such that a visible light beam is transmitted through each of the plurality of second optical fibers, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

(c) collimating optics, constituting collimating means for collimating the plurality of nonvisible laser beams and the plurality of visible light beams such that the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics, said distance being the distance at which the plurality of nonvisible laser beams have an optimum power density; and

(d) an optical fiber connector that connects the plurality of first optical fibers and the second optical fibers to the collimating optics, and that positions the first optical fibers at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers, such that the plurality of visible light beams surround and identify the position of the plurality of nonvisible laser beams.

29. The laser system of claim 28, wherein the variation in the power density of the plurality of nonvisible laser beams as a function of distance from the output of the collimating optics is less than 30% over a range of 3 cam on either side of the optimum distance, and wherein the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at approximately the optimum distance.

30. A method for delivering energy to a target from a laser source emitting nonvisible radiation comprising the steps of:

optically connecting the laser source to a first optical fiber;

transmitting a nonvisible laser beam through the first optical fiber;

optically connecting at least one visible light source to a plurality of second optical fiber;

transmitting a visible light beam through each of the plurality of second optical fibers, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

positioning the first optical fiber at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers;

directing the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams at collimating optics;

collimating the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, such that the visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics at which the nonvisible laser beam has a power density substantially equal to an optimum power density, and, such that the plurality of visible light beams surround and identity the position of the nonvisible laser beam;

whereby the dependence of power density at the target on the distance from the output of the collimating optics is significantly reduced.

31. A method for delivering energy to a target from a laser source_emitting nonvisible radiation comprising the steps of:

optically connecting the laser source to a plurality of first optical fibers;

transmitting a nonvisible laser beam through each of the plurality of first optical fibers;

optically connecting at least one visible light source to a plurality of second optical fibers;

transmitting a visible light beam through each of the plurality of second optical fibers constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

positioning the plurality of first optical fibers at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers;

directing the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams at collimating optics;

collimating the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, such that the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics at which the nonvisible laser beam has a power density substantially equal to an optimum power density, and, such that the plurality of visible light beams surround and identify the position of the nonvisible laser beam;

whereby the dependence of power density at the target on the distance from the output of the collimating optics is significantly reduced.

32. A method for delivering energy to a target from a plurality of laser sources emitting nonvisible radiation comprising the steps of:

optically connecting the plurality of laser sources to a plurality of first optical fibers;

transmitting a non visible laser beam through each of the plurality of first optical fibers, constituting a plurality of non visible laser beams;

optically connecting at least one visible light source to a plurality of second optical fiber;

transmitting a visible light beam through each of the plurality of second optical fibers, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

positioning the plurality of first optical fibers at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers;

directing the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams at collimating optics;

collimating the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, such that the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics at which the nonvisible laser beam has a power density substantially equal to an optimum power density, and, such that the plurality of visible light beam surround and identify the position of the nonvisible laser beam;

whereby the dependence of power density at the target on the distance from the output of the collimating optics is significantly reduced.

33. A method for delivering energy to a target from a handheld self-contained laser source comprising the steps of:

optically connecting a laser diode to a first optical fiber, the laser diode emitting a nonvisible laser beam;

providing the laser diode with a fan-cooled heat sink;

transmitting a non visible laser beam through the first optical fiber;

optically connecting at least one visible light emitting diode to a plurality of second optical fiber;

providing power to the laser diode and the at least one visible light emitting diode from a rechargeable battery;

transmitting a visible light beam through each of the plurality of second optical fibers, constituting a plurality of visible light beams;

positioning the first optical fiber at the center of the plurality of second optical fibers;

directing the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams at collimating optics;

collimating the nonvisible laser beam and the plurality of visible light beams, such that the plurality of visible light beams are in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics at which the nonvisible laser beam has a power density substantially equal to an optimum power density, and, such that the visible light beams surround and identify the position of the nonvisible laser beam;

electrically connecting an electronic circuit to a photodiode;

measuring intensity of the nonvisible laser beam with the photodiode;

controlling the power to the laser diode with the electronic circuit according to the signal received from the photodiode;

wherein the power to the laser diode is controlled by controlling current to the laser diode; and

,

whereby the dependence of power density at the target on the distance from the output of the collimating optics is significantly reduced.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of:

indicating the status of the rechargeable battery.

35. A laser system comprising:

(a) at least one laser emitting nonvisible radiation optically connected to a first radiation transmitting optical sub-system, said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system transmitting and outputting at least one nonvisible laser beam;

(b) at least one visible light source optically connected to a second radiation transmitting optical sub-system, said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system transmitting and outputting at least one visible light beam;

(c) collimating means that collimate the output of said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system and the output of said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system such that the output of said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system is in focus at a distance where the output of said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system has an optimum power density;

(d) positioning means that position said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system and said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system such that said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system surrounds said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system.

36. The laser system of claim 35 wherein said at least one laser emitting nonvisible radiation comprises one laser emitting nonvisible radiation;

wherein said first radiation transmitting optical sub-system comprises a central core of an optical fiber, said optical fiber having the central core, an inner cladding capable of transmitting a visible light beam and an outer cladding, a laser beam of nonvisible radiation being transmitted through and outputted from the central core of the optical fiber;

wherein said at least one visible light source comprises one visible light source;

wherein said second radiation transmitting optical sub-system comprises the inner cladding of the optical fiber, such that a visible light beam being transmitted through and outputted from the inner cladding;

wherein said collimating means comprise collimating optics collimating the laser beam of nonvisible radiation and the visible light beam, such that the visible light beam is in focus at a distance from the output of the collimating optics, said distance being the distance at which the laser beam of nonvisible radiation has an optimum power density, and, such that the visible light beam surrounds and identifies the position of the laser beam of nonvisible radiation;

and wherein the fiber constitutes the positioning means.

37. The laser system of claim 35, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser beam as a function of distance from an output of the collimating means is less than 30% over a range of 3 cm on either side of an optimum distance.

38. The laser system of claim 35, wherein the visible light beam is in focus at approximately an optimum distance.

39. The laser system of claim 35, wherein the collimating means have a focal length selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is in focus at an optimum distance.

40. The laser system of claim 39, wherein the variation in the power density of the nonvisible laser bean is less than 50% over a range from one-half the optimum distance to one and a half times the optimum distance.

41. The laser system of claim 35, wherein after collimation the nonvisible laser beam is an almost parallel beam 1.5 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

42. The laser system of claim 35, wherein the wavelength of the nonvisible laser beam is selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is absorbed by a chromophore.

43. The laser system of claim 35, wherein the wavelength of the nonvisible laser beam is selected such that the nonvisible laser beam is absorbed by a protein based solder.