Method of exciting laser action and delivering laser energy for medical and scientific applications
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorRonald W. Waynant
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Abstract
A laser energy excitation and delivery device which includes a coaxial system of tubes having an annular space therebetween. A lasing or pumping gas is provided in the annular space and subjected to radio frequency discharge which results in the generation of laser radiation. The resulting laser radiation is propagated through and delivered from a section of the device which includes an extension of the innermost tube or an extension of each of the tubes. One embodiment of the device includes a central passageway though which various materials, including a guide wire, can pass. The device has particular utility for medical and surgical procedures.
Claims20
A laser delivery device comprising an excitation section and a radiation propagation and delivery section, wherein said excitation section includes:
- an inner tube;
- an outer tube surrounding said inner tube end being coaxial along the entire length therewith;
- an annular space defined between said inner and outer tubes and containing a gas;
- a resonator means;
- and
- means to apply a radio frequency discharge via coaxial electrodes in said excitation section to excite said gas in said annular space;
- and
- said radiation propagation and delivery section includes an extension of said inner tube which extends beyond said excitation section.
A method of delivering laser radiation to a target area which comprises:
- providing concentric inner and outer tubes having an annular space defined therebetween which annular space contains a gas;
- applying a radio frequency discharge via coaxial electrodes to excite said gas in said annular space to generate using at least a portion of said inner tube to propagate and deliver said laser radiation from an end thereof to a target area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.