Direct visualization surgical probe

A surgical probe for insertion into a confined region, comprising:

• a multi-lumen catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a transparent balloon having a proximal end coupled to the multi-lumen catheter and a distal end, comprising a non-compliant material having a known shape when inflated:
• a direct-visualization scope in a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter providing direct visualization of the confined region through the balloon:
• a temperature regulated fluid source for providing transparent fluid of a regulated temperature;
• an adaptor, coupled to a second lumen of the multi-lumen catheter near the proximal end for supplying the temperature regulated transparent fluid from the temperature regulated fluid source through the second lumen to inflate the balloon;
• a laser source producing an output beam;
• a fiber optic operably attached to the laser source, the fiber optic having a longitudinal axis in a third lumen of the multi-lumen catheter and having a light emitting tip positioned within the balloon to deliver light energy laterally from the longitudinal axis to the confined region through the balloon, the temperature regulated fluid inflating the balloon controlling the temperature of the light emitting output beam delivery;
• means, coupled to the proximal end of the multi-lumen catheter and to the fiber optic, for moving the light emitting tip of the fiber optic in the balloon during direct visualization;
• and
• means, coupled to the third lumen, for positioning the light emitting tip of the fiber optic within the balloon during movement by the means for moving to establish a known propagation distance to the surface of the balloon for light energy emitted from the light emitting tip.

A surgical probe for insertion into a hollow vessel having an inside wall, comprising:

• a multi-lumen catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a transparent balloon having a proximal end coupled to the multi-lumen catheter and a distal end, comprising a non-compliant material having a surface with a known shape when inflated such that the inside wall of the hollow vessel is compressed against a portion of the surface of the balloon;
• a direct-visualization scope in a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter providing direct visualization of the hollow vessel through the balloon;
• a temperature regulated fluid source for providing transparent fluid of a regulated temperature;
• an adaptor, coupled to a second lumen of the multi-lumen catheter near the proximal end, for supplying the temperature regulated transparent fluid from the temperature regulated fluid source through the second lumen to inflate the balloon;
• a laser source producing an output beam;
• a fiber optic operably attached to the laser source, the fiber optic having a longitudinal axis in a third lumen of the multi-lumen catheter and having a light emitting tip positioned within the balloon to deliver light energy laterally from the light emitting axis to the hollow vessel through the balloon, the temperature regulated fluid inflating the balloon controlling the temperature of the light emitting tip during output beam delivery;
• and
• means, coupled to the third lumen, for positioning the light emitting tip of the fiber optic within the balloon including a positioning element for the light emitting tip so that light energy emitted from the light emitting tip directed into tissue of the hollow vessel through the surface of the balloon has a substantially constant power density during rotational and longitudinal positioning of the light emitting tip within the balloon.

A surgical probe for transurethral resection of a prostate gland, comprising:

• a multi-lumen catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a transparent balloon having a proximal end coupled to the multi-lumen catheter and a distal end, comprising a non-compliant material having a surface with a known shape when inflated such that inside walls of the urethra contact a portion of the surface of the balloon;
• a direct-visualization scope in a first lumen of the multi-lumen catheter providing direct visualization of tissue through the balloon;
• a temperature regulated fluid source for providing fluid having a regulated temperature;
• an adaptor, coupled to a second lumen of the multi-lumen catheter near the proximal end, for supplying transparent fluid from the temperature regulated fluid source through the second lumen to inflate the balloon;
• a laser source producing an output beam;
• a fiber optic in a third lumen of the multi-lumen catheter having a longitudinal axis and a beveled light emitting tip positioned within the balloon that laterally directs light energy through the surface of the balloon to tissue to deliver light energy to tissue of the prostate gland through the balloon, the temperature regulated fluid inflating the balloon controlling the temperature of the light emitting tip during output beam delivery;
• and
• a mechanism, coupled to the third lumen and extending into the balloon, to position the light emitting tip of the fiber optic within the balloon to establish a known propagation distance to the surface of the balloon for light energy emitted from the light emitting tip.