Laser plasma modulator system for endoscopy and endocavitary surgery

• US 8,926,601 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biolitec Unternehmensbeteiligungs II AG
• Original Assignee: Biolitec Pharma Marketing Ltd.
• Inventors: Neuberger, Wolfgang, Cecchetti, Walter, Cecchetti, Leonardo, Zattoni, Filiberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Victor
• Application Number:
  US13/673,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20130310819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 607/89, 606/15, 606/10, 606/12, 372/6, 385/31, 398/196
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• 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 2018/207 mixing two wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/263 the conversion of laser energy into mechanical shockwaves taking place in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00

Abstract

An improved system for safe and efficient generation of plasmas and vapors bubbles with continuous wave radiations and low levels of power densities, sufficient to treat medical pathologies and to avoid the creation damage to healthy tissue is provided. Transmission means in different configurations are used to achieve a high absorption in water, which is able to initiate plasma with low levels of power density. Once plasma and vapor bubbles are formed, they absorb other wavelengths in addition to the one that initiated it. Other wavelengths, more efficiently generated by diodes or diode pumped lasers, are added into the beam to improve treatment efficiency. This modulated plasma produces fast tissue ablation and good hemostasis effect with minimal overheating of remaining tissue. After plasma and high-energy vapors are generated, only laser radiation that passes through the plasma bubble directly interacts with soft tissues.

Claims

1. A plasma modulator laser system for endoscopy and endocavitary treatment comprising:

a first laser source operating in continuous mode and emitting a first continuous wave laser wavelength that is highly absorbed by water, generating a plasma bubble;

a second laser source delivering a second laser wavelength modulating dimensions and internal temperature of the plasma by absorbing a portion of radiation at the second laser wavelength in the plasma bubble;

another portion of the radiation at the second laser wavelength propagating through the plasma bubble;

at least one waveguide optically coupled to the first and second laser sources;

wherein the first continuous wave laser wavelength and the second laser wavelength are combined in a predetermined ratio, the predetermined ratio selected for modulation of the plasma bubble.

2. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said first continuous wave laser wavelength is of 1470+/−

50 nm and said second laser wavelength is of 980+/−

30 nm.

3. The laser system according to claim 2, wherein part of said laser wavelength of 980+/−

30 nm modulates plasma bubble, and the remaining percentage of said laser wavelength of 980+/−

30 nm reaches the tissue at said treatment site to achieve hemostatic effect.

4. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said first laser source is a low power laser source.

5. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said second laser source is a low cost and efficient diode laser source.

6. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said second laser source operates in pulsed mode, in continuous mode or in a combination of these modes.

7. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second laser sources is a diode laser source operating at a laser wavelength selected from 980+/−

60 nm, 1470+/−

60 nm, and 1940+/−

60 nm.

8. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said first continuous wave laser wavelength and second laser wavelength are delivered simultaneously at different power densities.

9. The laser system according to claim 8, wherein said first continuous wave laser wavelength and second laser wavelength are selected from the group of 980 nm and 1470 nm;

980 nm and 1940 nm; and

1470 nm, 1940 nm and 980 nm.

10. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said waveguide has diverse irradiation geometries and dimensions, wherein said geometry and dimension changes the plasma bubble dimension, the plasma bubble temperature, and/or the laser power density on said treatment site.

11. The laser system according to claim 10, wherein said waveguide is an optical fiber.

12. The laser system according to claim 11, wherein said optical fiber has a fiber tip selected from the group of thin tips, conical tips and asymmetric off-axis emitting tips.

13. The laser system according to claim 12, wherein said optical fiber has a 1000 μ

m diameter conical fiber tip.

14. The laser system, according to claim 11, wherein said optical fiber has a concentric core structure, wherein one of the first continuous wave laser wavelength or second laser wavelength travels in an inner core and the other of the first continuous wave laser wavelength or second laser wavelength is transmitted in an outer core.

15. The laser system according to claim 1, wherein said first laser is a fiber laser and said second laser is a pump laser for said fiber laser, and wherein beams from both lasers are transmitted by said at least one waveguide.

16. The laser system according to claim 15, wherein said fiber laser emits at about 1550 nm, and said pump laser emits at either about 915-980 nm or at about 1480 nm.