Optic fiber probe
AssigneesMaxwell Sensors, Inc., Hosheng Tu
InventorsHosheng Tu, Winston Z. Ho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optic fiber probe system for treating thrombus of a patient comprising at least one optic fiber with at least one confined liquid-fillable void space and a light source for causing a laser-induced liquid/bubble jet that ejects from an opening of the confined void space to breakup the thrombus.
Claims19
An optic fiber probe for generating a laser-induced liquid/bubble jet, said probe comprising a distal end, a fiber core for transmitting light beam toward said distal end, a cladding layer enclosing a majority of the fiber core, wherein said cladding layer having a thermal coefficient that is greater than a thermal coefficient of the fiber core, and at least one liquid-filled confined enclosure located at or adjacent said distal end of the fiber core, wherein said at least one enclosure comprises a venting opening and a light beam provides energy for generating said liquid/bubble jet.
An optic fiber probe for treating tissue or treating thrombus of a patient comprising:
- (a) an elongate probe sheath having a lumen, a distal sheath end, a venting opening, and at least one liquid-fillable void space in liquid communication with the venting opening;
- (b) at least one optic fiber deployably disposed within the lumen of the probe sheath, the at least one optic fiber comprising a fiber core for transmitting light beam, a cladding layer surrounding and enclosing a majority of the fiber core, wherein said cladding layer having a thermal coefficient that is greater than a thermal coefficient of the fiber core, wherein a distal end of the fiber core is located at about an proximal edge of the liquid-fillable void space;
- and (c) a light source having a light beam, wherein the light beam is coupled into said fiber core, wherein the light beam is configured to cause a laser-induced liquid/bubble jet for treating the tissue or treating the thrombus of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.