Laser delivery system

A laser delivery system comprising:

• a linearly extending hollow boom having proximal and distal ends,
• means for mounting said boom at the proximal end thereof for rotation about a first axis transverse to the axis of said boom, and a second axis spaced from said boom axis and transverse to said first axis and in a plane perpendicular to said first axis,
• a linear handpiece at the distal end of said boom,
• means for connecting said handpiece to the distal end of said boom for rotation about a first axis perpendicular to said handpiece axis and to the boom axis,
• bearing means for enabling said connecting means and said handpiece to rotate about the axis of said boom,
• first counterweight means for counterbalancing said boom comprising a first mass on the opposite side of said first and second axes from said boom,
• second counterweight means for counterbalancing a portion of said boom and said handpiece comprising a second mass smaller than said first mass,
• third counterweight means for counterbalancing a portion of sid boom and said handpiece comprising a third mass smaller than said second mass and further from said first axis than said second mass and having the center of gravity thereof offset from the boom axis oppositely to said handpiece, and
• means for conducting a beam sequentially along said second and first axes, said boom, and into said handpiece.

A laser delivery system comprising:

• a linearly extending hollow boom having proximal and distal ends,
• a handpiece,
• means for connecting said handpiece to said boom distal end for rotation about the axis of said boom, and
• counterweight means for counterbalancing said handpiece comprising a mass having the center of gravity thereof offset from the boom axis oppositely to said handpiece.

A laser delivery system comprising:

• a tubular boom having a distal end and a proximal end,
• a handpiece at the distal end,
• means for conducting a beam into said proximal end, through said boom and into said handpiece,
• means for connecting said distal end of said tubular boom to said proximal end of said tubular boom for axial and rotational movement relative thereto comprising inner and outer telescopic tubular elements, and
• means for providing a layer of fluid between said inner tubular element and said outer tubular element for supporting said inner tubular element in radially spaced relation to said outer tubular element.

A laser delivery system comprising:

• (a) a hollow linear boom comprising an outer telescopic tubular element having a proximal end and an inner telescopic tubular element in said outer telescopic tubular element and having a distal end;
• (b) a boom support;
• (c) means for mounting said boom support for rotation on a first axis and for rotation on a second axis transverse to said first axis;
• (d) means for attaching the proximal end of said boom to said boom support;
• (e) said boom comprising boom bearing means for supporting said inner tubular element for axial and rotational movement thereof relative to said outer tubular element without supporting physical bearing engagement;
• (f) a handpiece;
• (g) means for connecting said handpiece to said boom distal end for rotation about an axis transverse of the boom axis;
• and
• (i) means for conducting a beam through said boom and into said handpiece in all positions of said boom and handpiece.

A laser delivery system comprising:

• a linearly extending hollow boom having proximal and distal ends,
• means for mounting said boom at the proximal end thereof for rotation about a first axis transverse to the axis of said boom, and a second axis spaced from said boom axis and transverse to said first axis and in a plane perpendicular to said first axis,
• a linear handpiece at the distal end of said boom,
• means for connecting said handpiece to the distal end of said boom for rotation about a first axis perpendicular to said handpiece axis and to the boom axis,
• bearing means for enabling said connecting means and said handpiece to rotate about the axis of said boom,
• first counterweight means for counterbalancing said boom comprising a first mass on the opposite side of said first and second axes from said boom,
• second counterweight means for counterbalancing a portion of said boom and said handpiece comprising a second mass on said boom having the center of gravity thereof offset from the boom axis oppositely to said handpiece, and
• means for conducting a beam sequentially along said boom and into said handpiece.

A laser delivery system comprising:

• a tubular boom having a distal end and a proximal end,
• means at the proximal end of said boom for supporting said boom for pivotal movement,
• a handpiece at the distal end,
• means for conducting a beam into said proximal end, through said boom and into said handpiece, and
• means for connecting said distal end of said tubular boom to said proximal end of said tubular boom for axial and rotational movement relative thereto comprising inner and outer telescopic tubular elements and bearing means for supporting said inner tubular element in radially spaced relation to said outer tubular element without supporting physical engagement.

A structure for providing relative linear and rotational movement between tubular elements comprising:

• an outer tubular element,
• an inner tubular element,
• means for holding one said tubular element,
• means for supporting the other said tubular element substantially coaxially with said one tubular element and spaced therefrom without supporting physical engagement,
• said structure being free of means to prevent both axial and rotational movement of said other tubular element relative to said outer tubular element,
• whereby said inner tubular element may be caused to move linearly and to be rotated in said outer tubular element.