Fiber optic apparatus for use with medical lasers
AssigneePremier Laser Systems, Inc.
InventorsWendell V. Ebling, John F. Forkner, Robert J. Freiberg, Robert E. Woodard
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Abstract
An optical apparatus functions as a laser catheter for removal, penetration or treatment of human tissue or other biotic material. The arrangement of the optical components, including the focal length of the lens and the spacing between the lens and the source of light is selected to yield an output beam having advantageous characteristics which are particularly suitable for medical laser treatment. Such characteristics include a relatively long beam throw, a long focal range, and a small output beam waist. A hollow tip, preferably conical in shape, is utilized to provide a tactile indicator as to the cutting action of the output beam.
Claims58
An apparatus, comprising:
- an optical waveguide for emitting light having a minimum waist and a minimum waist radius r.sub.w, said light being relatively incoherent and having a coherence factor K.sub.c of no less than about 2.0;
- and
- a lens for focusing said light, said lens being of substantially uniform composition and having (i) a diameter of no more than 4 millimeters, (ii) a focal length F, (iii) a beam intercept radius r.sub.L, and (iv) a front principal plane which is spaced from said minimum waist by a dimension S, said light source and said lens being positioned relative to each other to satisfy the relationships.
- 1.5.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.X
- and
- 0.25.ltoreq.F/S.ltoreq.0.95
- wherein R is equal to r.sub.L /r.sub.w, and X is no greater than 4 divided by twice the minimum waist radius r.sub.w in millimeters.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an optical waveguide for outputting a beam of light, said waveguide having a core radius, said light being relatively incoherent with a coherence factor of at least about 2.0, said beam having a minimum waist at the output end of said waveguide with a minimum waist radius r.sub.w, said minimum waist radius being equal to the radius of the core of said waveguide;
- and
- a lens for focusing said light, said lens being of substantially uniform composition and having (i) a diameter of no more than 2.2 millimeters, (ii) a focal length F, (iii) a beam intercept radius r.sub.L, and (iv) a front principal plane which is spaced from said minimum waist by a dimension S, said waveguide and said lens being positioned relative to each other to satisfy the following relationships:
- 1.5.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.X
- and
- 0.2523 F/S.ltoreq.0.95
- wherein R is equal to r.sub.L /r.sub.w, and x is equal to 2.2 divided by twice the core radius of said fiber in millimeters.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an optical waveguide for transmitting light;
- a lens having a focal length F for focusing said light on a treatment site, said lens having a diameter of no more than 4 mm and being of a substantially uniform composition;
- a distal tip assembly secured to said optical waveguide, said tip assembly mounting said lens a distance S from an end of said waveguide, the ratio of F/S being between 0.25 and 0.95, the focused light having a location of minimum waist radius and a focal range, said location of minimum waist radius being greater than one focal range Z'.sub.f from the rear principal plane of said lens;
- and
- a hollow tip adapted for attachment to said distal tip assembly, said hollow tip (i) terminating at a location which is in proximity to said location of minimum waist radius of said focused light, and (ii) having an opening at the distal end thereof which is approximately equal to or greater than the 1e/.sup.2 beam profile at said opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.