Method and apparatus for infrared tissue ablation
OwnerMichael Shane Hutson, Glenn S. Edwardsinventors
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for ablating material. The material is preferably a heterogenous or composite material, such as animal tissue. A table top laser system can be employed in the invention. Alternatively, a larger laser, such as a free electron laser can be employed.
Claims20
A method of ablating a material, the method comprising:
- (a) directing laser radiation at a target material to be ablated;
- and
- (b) irradiating the target material with:
- i) one or more pulses of laser radiation having a duration ranging from about 1 nanosecond to about 10 microseconds;
- ii) an energy per pulse greater than about 45 microjoules;
- iii) an average power greater than about 100 mW;
- and
- iv) an incident intensity less than about 1014 W/m2.
The method of claim 18, wherein irradiating the target material comprises irradiating the target material with an incident intensity less than about 1011 W/m2.
An apparatus for ablating a material, the apparatus comprising a laser for generating one or more pulses of laser radiation having:
- (a) a duration ranging from about 1 nanosecond to about 10 microseconds;
- (b) an energy per pulse greater than about 45 microjoules;
- (c) an average power greater than about 100 mW;
- and
- (d) an incident intensity less than about 1014 W/m2.
An apparatus for tissue ablation, the apparatus comprising a laser for generating one or more pulses of laser radiation having:
- (a) a duration ranging from about 1 nanosecond to about 10 microseconds;
- (b) an energy per pulse greater than about 45 microjoules;
- (c) an average power greater than about 100 mW;
- and
- (d) an incident intensity less than about 1014 W/m2;
- whereby the target tissue can be ablated with the apparatus with minimum collateral damage to tissue surrounding the target tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.