Optical heating system
AssigneePremier Laser Systems, Inc.
InventorMark E. Whitebook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser heating system projects a beam of optical radiation on a region to be heated. A sensor detects changes in temperature of the region by sensing the black body radiation of the heated region. A control circuit then controls the intensity of the beam as a function of the sensed black body radiation. In another embodiment, the beam is moved among the region and the light intensity of the beam is dynamically controlled.
Claims25
An apparatus for heating tissue comprising:
- means for projecting a beam of optical radiation energy having a first wavelength on a surface of a region to be welded so as to heat the region;
- means for detecting changes in temperature of the region by sensing variations of a characteristic of black body radiation emitted by the region due to the beam heating the region, said black body radiation having a wavelength different from the first wavelength;
- and
- means for controlling the projection of the beam as a function of the detected variations of the characteristic.
A method of conducting a surgical procedure with optical radiation comprising the steps of:
- projecting a beam of optical radiation having a tissue welding wavelength on a region of tissue to be welded;
- detecting changes in a characteristic of black body radiation emitted by the region due to the beam of optical radiation heating the region;
- controlling the projection of the beam as a function of the detected changes in the characteristic;
- and
- maintaining the temperature of the tissue in the heated region within a predetermined range.
An apparatus for heating tissue with optical radiation comprising:
- a laser device operative to project a beam of coherent light having a tissue welding wavelength on a surface of a tissue to be welded so as to heat the tissue, said device having a movable end from which coherent light is emitted onto the surface of the tissue;
- a sensor means connected to the laser device adjacent to the moveable end for sensing changes in the temperature of the surface of the tissue by detecting variations in amplitude of black body radiation emitted by the surface of the tissue, said sensor means having a field of view that is coincident with the projecting beam on the surface of the tissue being heated;
- and
- a control circuit means for adjusting the intensity of the beam of coherent light as a function of the variation in the amplitude of the black body radiation detected by the sensor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.