Optical fiber with detachable metallic tip for intravascular laser coagulation of arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas

An apparatus for occlusion of a vessel, vascular malformation or vascular lesion, said apparatus comprising:

• a laser;
• optical fiber means having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being optically connected to said laser for transmission of laser energy;
• a detachable tip mounted with a hot-melt adhesive on said distal end of said optical fiber means, said tip being absorptive of laser energy to produce heat and said hot-melt adhesive capable of being melted so that said detachable tip can be detached from said optical fiber and remain as an occlusion in the vessel;
• and
• a catheter forming a protective sheath around said optical fiber and having a central lumen, said lumen having a sufficient diameter to allow for free passage of said optical fiber means and said tip therethrough.

A method for occluding a vascular opening comprising:

• providing an optical fiber for transmission of laser energy and a detachable tip mounted with a hot-melt adhesive on one end of said optical fiber, said tip being absorptive of laser energy to produce heat and being of a diameter approximately the vascular opening to be occluded;
• positioning said tip within the vascular opening to be occluded;
• transmitting laser energy through said optical fiber to said tip to heat said tip thereby coagulating the tissue surrounding the opening and to fix said tip within said opening;
• and
• withdrawing said optical fiber from said tip, leaving said tip fixed within and occluding the vascular opening.