Heraeus Lasersonics, Inc.

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

James A Harrington

Jeffrey G Hirsch

Todd C Abel

Michael G Clancy

Stuart Harman

Bimal K Deka

Veena Gopal

Christopher C Gregory

Gerald W Garcia

A flexible, hollow, waveguide is featured, that functions in the visible region. The waveguide comprises a hollow, flexible, silica-glass tube having a smooth bore, that is coated with a reflective substance on the inner bore surface. A composite of two sulfide materials are then layered over the reflective substance. The sulfide materials form a high contrasting refractive index of approximately 2:1, thus creating a photonic, bandgap tube.

Method, and article of the method, for fabricating a flexible, hollow waveguide

A rugged flexible hollow-fiber waveguide that permits preservation of good transverse spatial coherence of input infrared laser radiation and that transmits substantial power of such radiation, with low attenuation. The present invention preferably comprises a small-diameter thin-wall silica-glass tube; a protective coating on the outer surface of the tube; a sufficient reflective layer on the inner surface of the tube; and a thickness, optimal for the wavelength(s) of interest, of dielectric on the exposed surface of the reflective layer. The fiber is manufactured with processes that maintain the smoothness of the bore. In addition to transmitting mid-infrared laser radiation through the bore of the flexible hollow-fiber waveguide, a second beam may be transmitted through the annular body of the flexible hollow-fiber. The second beam may comprise an aiming beam which creates a ring pattern surrounding the infrared beam, or the second beam may be a second therapeutic beam in the visible or near infrared region.

Co-axial hollow core waveguide

A rugged flexible hollow-fiber waveguide that permits preservation of good transverse spatial coherence of input infrared laser radiation and that transmits substantial power of such radiation, with low attenuation. The present invention preferably comprises a small-diameter thin-wall silica-glass tube; a protective coating on the outer surface of the tube; a sufficient reflective layer on the inner surface of the tube; and a thickness, optimal for the wavelength(s) of interest, of dielectric on the exposed surface of the reflective layer. The fiber is manufactured with processes that maintain the smoothness of the bore.

Coherent, flexible, coated-bore hollow-fiber waveguide, and method of

A rugged flexible hollow-fiber waveguide that permits preservation of good transverse spatial coherence of input infrared laser radiation and that transmits substantial power of such radiation, with low attenuation. The present invention preferably comprises a small-diameter thin-wall silica-glass tube; a protective coating on the outer surface of the tube; a sufficient reflective layer on the inner surface of the tube; and a thickness, optimal for the wavelength(s) of interest, of dielectric on the exposed surface of the reflective layer.

Coherent, flexible, coated-bore hollow-fiber waveguide

An optical transmission device comprising a body, a tapered surface disposed in the body, and means for attaching an optical transmission means to the body. In the preferred embodiment, the optical transmission means is a hollow waveguide. The tapered surface has an inlet aperture for receiving radiation and an outlet aperture. The diameter of the outlet aperture of the tapered surface is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow waveguide.

Optical transmission device

A CO.sub.2 (10.6 micron) medical delivery end probe is described which enables line-of-sight viewing of a surgical site internally within a body within the very same endoscope used to house the probe. The end probe includes two different sections of n&lt;1 air core hollow waveguides, obliquely related to one another. A mirror is positioned to reflect radiation from the exit end of the initial guide to the entry end of the main section. A bridge which is especially adapted for use in an endoscope with both such a probe and a telescope is also described. Moreover, an adapter having the initial optical guide section discussed above enabling straight end probes to be used is also described.

Apparatus for directing 10.6 micron laser radiation to a tissue site

A probe is described for delivering CO.sub.2 radiation to a desired site. Such probe includes an n&lt;1 optical guide made of sapphire tubing. In one embodiment, the probe includes a disposable tip.

Medical laser probe and method of delivering CO.sub.2 radiation

A delivery arrangement for CO.sub.2 (carbon dioxide) laser radiation is described which is particularly designed for laser medical systems. The delivery arrangement has three components--an articulated arm connectable to a CO.sub.2 laser head, a waveguide probe for directing CO.sub.2 laser radiation to an operating site, and a coupler for conditioning CO.sub.2 laser radiation emanating from the arm for coupling into the waveguide probe.

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Martinsville, NJ, United States of America

James A Harrington