Endoscopic laser instrument

A modular endoscopic laser instrument, having a longitudinal axis, for surgically treating a selected area of body tissue comprising

• an outer tubular sheath having open proximal and distal ends,
• a laser assembly mounted on said instrument comprising
• laser light transmitting means, including at least one optical fiber terminating at a distal end thereof disposed adjacent to the distal end of said sheath, for emitting a laser beam therefrom,
• reflecting means, including a mirror disposed adjacent to and in facing relationship relative to the distal end of said optical fiber, for receiving and reflecting said laser beam without changing the character or divergence thereof, after said beam exits said optical fiber, and
• adjustment means for selectively adjusting said mirror, relative to said axis, to vary the angle of incidence of said laser beam on said mirror, and
• an interchangeable endoscope assembly, slidably mounted in said sheath, comprising an eyepiece and a viewing lens mounted on opposite ends thereof to dispose them adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of said sheath, respectively, for providing a visual field having a wide viewing angle of at least 30.degree., said mirror disposed entirely forwardly of and having an area substantially larger than said viewing lens and said viewing lens disposed longitudinally between the distal end of said optical fiber and said mirror to permit said laser beam to intersect said visual field prior to its reflection by said mirror.

An endoscopic laser instrument, having a longitudinal axis, for treating a selected area of body tissue comprising.

• an outer tubular sheath having open proximal and distal ends, and
• an endoscope assembly slidably mounted in said sheath and comprising a tubular member having an eyepiece and a viewing lens mounted on opposite ends thereof to dispose them adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of said sheath, respectively, for providing a visual field having a wide viewing angle of at least 30.degree.,
• laser light transmitting means mounted in said sheath and terminating at a distal end thereof disposed adjacent to the distal end of said sheath for emitting a laser beam from said instrument,
• reflecting means, including a mirror disposed entirely forwardly of and having an area substantially larger than said viewing lens and further disposed externally of said sheath adjacent to and in facing relationship relative to the distal end of said laser transmitting means, for receiving and reflecting said laser beam without changing the character or divergence thereof after said laser beam exits said laser light transmitting means, said viewing lens disposed longitudinally between the distal end of said laser light transmitting means and said mirror to permit said laser beam to intersect said visual field prior to its reflection by said mirror, and
• adjustment means for selectively tilting said mirror through an angle of at least approximately 60.degree. to direct said reflected laser beam within the range of said visual field, said reflecting means and said adjustment means forming a separate assembly slidably mounted in said sheath.