Laparoscopic Laser Device and Method

A laparoscopic laser device, for use with an insulated bodily cavity, comprising:

• an elongate body having a proximal end and a deflectable distal end, the distal end placeable in at least two orientations, the body adapted for insertion into an insufflated bodily cavity;
• a laser energy delivery element coupleable to a source of tissue-vaporization-capable laser energy, the laser energy delivery element located at the distal end of the elongate body and being capable of delivering laser energy along a laser energy path, the laser energy path extending away from the laser energy delivery element;
• the laser energy delivery element comprising a light guiding element extending along the elongate body, the light guiding element having an exit from which the laser energy emerges for delivery generally along the laser energy path;
• a remote visualization device, extending along the elongate body and having an illumination element and an image receiving portion to permit a user to illuminate and view a region generally along the laser energy path;
• a smoke-suppressing liquid pathway extending along the elongate body to an exit opening, the liquid pathway coupleable to a source of a smoke-suppressing liquid, the laser energy being effectively unabsorbed by the liquid so that the laser energy remains tissue-vaporization-capable;
• a user operated steering assembly, the steering assembly comprising a steering member at the proximal end of the elongate body operably coupled to a deflectable member at the distal end of the elongate body, the steering member operable to cause the distal end to be placed in said at least two orientations by the deflectable member;
• and
• the liquid pathway at the exit opening configured to direct the smoke-suppressing liquid generally along the laser energy path.

A method for treating tissue at a target site within a patient comprising:

• insufflating a bodily cavity of a patient;
• placing a distal portion of an elongate body of a laparoscopic laser device at a target site within the insufflated bodily cavity;
• directing tissue-vaporization-capable laser energy along a laser energy path from the distal portion of the body towards the target site thereby vaporizing target site tissue;
• and
• suppressing smoke created by vaporizing tissue at the target site by flowing a liquid generally along the laser energy path.

A method for treating tissue at a target site within a patient comprising:

• insufflating a bodily cavity of a patient;
• placing a distal portion of an elongate body of a laparoscopic laser device at a target site within the insufflated bodily cavity;
• remotely viewing the target site;
• facilitating the remotely viewing step by selectively illuminating the target site;
• directing tissue-vaporization-capable laser energy, having a wavelength of 400 to 600 nm, along a laser energy path from the distal portion of the elongate body towards the target site to vaporize tissue at the target site;
• the laser energy directing step further comprising remotely deflecting the distal portion of the elongate body;
• and
• enhancing the remotely viewing step by:
• suppressing smoke at the target site created during the laser energy directing step by flowing an aqueous liquid generally along the laser energy path with the laser energy being effectively unabsorbed by the aqueous liquid and remaining tissue-vaporization-capable;
• and
• suctioning the target site to remove at least aqueous liquid from the target site.

A method for performing a partial nephrectomy at a target site of a kidney within a patient comprising:

• insufflating a bodily cavity of a patient, the bodily cavity containing the patient's kidney;
• placing a distal portion of an elongate body of a laparoscopic laser device at a kidney target site;
• remotely viewing the target site;
• facilitating the remotely viewing step by selectively illuminating the target site;
• directing tissue-vaporization-capable laser energy, having a wavelength of 400 to 600 μm, along a laser energy path from the distal portion of the elongate body to target tissue at the target site thereby vaporizing kidney target tissue;
• the laser energy directing step further comprising a remotely deflecting the distal portion of the elongate body;
• and
• enhancing the remotely viewing step by:
• suppressing smoke at the target site created during the laser energy directing step by flowing an aqueous liquid generally along the laser energy path with the laser energy being effectively unabsorbed by the aqueous liquid and remaining kidney-tissue-vaporization-capable;
• and
• suctioning the target site to remove at least aqueous liquid from the target site.