Xintec Corporation

Other

Diolase Corporation

Convergent Laser Technologies

Xintec Corporation Aba Convergent Laser Technology

John L Rink

Dan L Rink

Marilyn M Chou

Garrett Lee

Howard S Cohen

Anh Ngoc Hoang

Mark H K Chim

King J Yu

Kwok H Ngai

Herrick Tam

A surgical laser system can include a fluorescent sensing assembly for detecting fluorescent signal from a tissue under a surgical operation of the surgical laser system. The surgical laser system can include an aiming laser assembly, which can be configured to provide excitation energy for the fluorescent process. The surgical laser system can include an infrared sensing assembly, which can provide temperature related data, for example, to prevent damages to the tissue due to overheating. The surgical laser system can be configured to use the off-time of the surgical laser for tissue sensing. Data from tissue sensing can be further analyzed by an integrated robotic surgical system to provide a highly precise surgical procedure.

Surgical laser system

The present invention relates generally to surgical lasers and more specifically to a laser beam control and delivery system that accurately and efficiently directs a laser beam into an optical fiber. The laser beam control and delivery system also provides additional functions, including a connection for a fiber tip temperature control system and a tissue temperature sensing system. The present invention also relates to a surgical laser system that has a high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system.

Laser beam control and delivery system

Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Contact laser ablation of tissue

Contact laser apparatus for ablation of tissue

The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser delivery devices for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered through and at various angles to the central axis of a fiber optic waveguide by an internally reflective surface. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. A novel method for coagulating and then vaporizing or otherwise removing the coagulated tissue is also disclosed.

Internal reflectance angle firing fiber optic laser delivery device and

A laser diode operating system utilizes the photodiode mounted in the housing of the laser diode, and monitors the photodiode signal to check for a clear laser beam delivery path and a target proximate to the output of the beam path. Upon initial power-up of the system, a brief laser pulse is emitted, and laser light reflected retrograde in the delivery path is received by the photodiode. If the photodiode signal exceeds a first threshold level, due to occlusion of the delivery path, further operation of the system is prevented until the delivery path is cleared. During operator use, the photodiode signal is compared with a second threshold level, and operation is interrupted if the signal fails to exceed the second threshold level. During interruption of operation mode, the laser diode is pulsed briefly and reiteratively to ascertain if a target object is proximate to the laser diode output. If the reflected light level indicates that a target object is proximate, the system will restore continuous operating mode while continuing to monitor the photodiode current.

Laser beam delivery path and target proximity sensor

The present invention relates generally to a laser cutting scalpel for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered at an angle to the incident radiation source and tool. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. The device has a firing tip which has an insert with a highly polished mirrored surface lying at a specific angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Thus impinging laser radiation is reflected to the side and delivered at approximately a right angle to the fiber. The invention also features one or more cooling vents located in the firing tip itself resulting in a device less prone to failure during operation. The device can be positioned accurately with respect to depth of insertion of the fiber. Another embodiment features the firing tip mounted on the tip of a cannula, the entire apparatus being rotatable about the central axis of the fiber allowing the surgeon to direct the angle of fire toward specific points during the operation.

Angle firing fiber optic laser scalpel and method of use

A laser for medical includes an optically pumped laser medium, and the output of the laser is directed through an optical fiber delivery system to a tissue target. The flashlamp is driven by a pulsed power signal that is selectively variable to produce laser pulses of predetermined temporal width and pulse energy, and these values can be selected in accordance with the type of tissue being treated and the tissue effect desired. The laser may be operated to produce relatively brief pulses of high energy, which create a localized plasma at the surface of the target tissue. The plasma effect blocks any significant penetration of the laser beam into the tissue, and each laser pulse causes the ablation of a small portion of the tissue target. Thus thermal necrosis of adjacent and underlying tissue minimized. At the opposite extreme, the laser may be operated to produce relatively long pulses of low or moderate energy, so that the laser beam penetrates the tissue to create such effects as deep coagulation, deep thermal heating and necrosis, and the like. In a further aspect, the laser is provided with an automatic system to control the temporal width of the laser pulses. A photodetector apparatus is optimized to detect the optical radiation from the plasma created at the tissue target and transmitted retrograde through the optical fiber delivery system to the laser. The pulse generating circuitry of the laser terminates the laser pulse in response to the plasma signal. The laser produces tissue effects comparable to a wide range of prior art medical lasers.

Variable pulse width laser and method of use

A proximity sensor apparatus for use with a laser diode device utilizes the photodiode mounted in the housing of the laser diode, and includes an electronic circuit coupled to the photodiode to monitor the output of the photodiode. When an object is closely adjacent to the output window of the laser diode, reflected light from the laser diode is transmitted retrograde through the output window and is received by the photodiode within the housing. The circuit of the invention establishes a threshold level for the photodiode current, determines the proximity of the reflecting object and permits (or prevents) operation of the laser diode. The circuit also includes a sampling timer to operate the laser diode for a very brief period (on the order of microseconds) each second, to ascertain if a target object is proximate to the laser diode output. The circuit is set to prevent laser operation, and operates the laser diode to emit a brief test pulse and determine the level of reflected laser light. If the reflected light level indicates that a target object is proximate, the circuit will switch on the laser diode, while continuing to monitor the photodiode current. If the reflected light level indicates that no target object is proximate, the laser diode will switch off, and the circuit will emit another brief test pulse after a delay of approximately one second. This process is reiterated.

Proximity sensor apparatus for laser diode

A method and apparatus used in combination with an existing laser for controlling the temperature of a laser powered tool includes a temperature control device coupled between the output of the laser and the optical fiber delivery system to monitor the temperature of the optical fiber delivery system and attenuate the laser output power to achieve a desired temperature level. The device establishes a beam path and provides a beam deflector that is variably positioned in the beam path to deflect a variable portion of the laser beam toward a laser wavelength-absorbing heat sink. An infrared detector is directed to receive emissions from the laser tool, and electronic circuitry processes the signal from the infrared detector to determine the temperature in the delivery system and generate an actuator signal to position the beam deflector so that beam deflection is increased or decreased to achieve a predetermined, desirable temperature level in the delivery system. A photodetector is disposed to receive ambient light from the area near the laser operation, and a time discrimination circuit receives the photodetector signal to determine if laser radiation is escaping into the area. The system causes laser shutdown if laser light is present in the area, so that operating personnel may eliminate the use of laser safety eyewear.

Method and apparatus for external control of surgical lasers

A control apparatus for a pumped rod-type laser includes an arc lamp disposed to illuminate the lasing medium, such as a NdYAG crystalline rod. The apparatus includes a full wave rectifier to power the arc lamp, and a MOSFET switching circuit to turn on and off the arc lamp power at controlled times during each half cycle of the power waveform so that the laser medium is pumped and optically discharged once during each half cycle of the power supply. The laser power output is measured by a photodetector during each half cycle, and the photodetector output is integrated and compared with a manually set, variable laser output power level. When the actual laser power reaches the preset power level, the comparator initiates turning off the MOSFET switching circuit power for that respective half cycle of the power waveform. The apparatus also includes safety circuits that permit laser operation only when the internal cooling system is operating, when the current to the arc lamp is below a maximum level, and when the temperature created by the laser illumination on a target is below a variable preset level, and the like. A further safety circuit detects the presence of laser radiation in the area surrounding the laser to shut it off when laser light escapes from the system. For medical uses, this feature obviates the need for laser safety goggles for operational personnel.

Optical fiber fault detector

A method for carrying out surgical procedures using a laser and a laser surgical tool includes the provision of a temperature control device associated with the laser which monitors the temperature of the surgical tool and delivery system and governs the laser power output to achieve a desired temperature level. The temperature control device may be used either to prevent heating of the surgical tool and delivery system beyond it structural tolerance, or to maintain a predetermined temperature level which is optimized for a particular surgical or medical procedure. The delivery system may comprise an optical fiber, and the surgical tool may comprise the output end of the optical fiber which is free of any additional surgical cutting implement.

Method for laser surgery

A laser heated cautery cap assembly includes a catheter assembly adapted to be introduced into a lumen, such as an arterial opening. The catheter assembly includes at least one optical fiber connected to a laser light source adapted to produce short output bursts. A cautery cap at the catheter distal end includes a transparent substrate member disposed to receive the laser energy from the optical fiber(s). The substrate member preferably is formed of a crystalline solid having a smooth, curved outer surface, with a central guidewire bore extending therethrough. One end of the bore is provided with a tapering counterbore, and the opposite end of the substrate member is an input surface disposed to receive laser energy from the optical fiber. A nose piece includes a central guidewire bore coaxial with the substrate member bore, the nose piece including a tapered proximal end dimensioned to fit within the counterbore of the substrate. The substrate counterbore and bore surfaces, and major portions of the curved outer surface are coated with a highly reflective material, and another portion of the outer surface is coated with a material which absorbs the laser energy and is heated thereby. The input surface of the substrate receives laser illumination from the optical fiber(s) and conducts it to the counterbore surface, which reflects the light internally to the absorptive coating portion. Thus a portion of the cap structure is heated, while the nose piece and the remainder of the substrate surface remains relatively cool.

Laser heated cautery cap with transparent substrate

A control apparatus for a pumped rod-type laser includes an arc lamp disposed to illuminate the lasing medium, such as a NdYAG crystalline rod. The apparatus includes a full wave rectifier to power the arc lamp, and a MOSFET switching circuit to turn on and off the arc lamp power at controlled times during each half cycle of the power waveform so that the laser medium is pumped and optically discharged once during each half cycle of the power supply. The laser power output is measured by a photodetector during each half cycle, and the photodetector output is integrated and compared with a manually set, variable laser output power level. When the actual laser power reaches the preset power level, the comparator initiates turning off the MOSFET switching circuit power for that respective half cycle of the power waveform. The full wave rectified power supply also permits the use of 110 VAC utility power. The apparatus also includes safety circuits that permit laser operation only when the internal cooling system is operating, when the current to the arc lamp is below a maximum level, and when the temperature created by the laser illumination on a target is below a variable preset level, and the like. A further safety circuit detects the presence of laser radiation in the area surrounding the laser to shut it off when laser light escapes from the system. For medical uses, this feature obviates the need for laser safety goggles for operational personnel.

Laser driver and control circuit

An apparatus for selectively directing a laser beam into a plurality of optical fibers and for selectively shifting the laser beam among the fibers includes a connector member having a plurality of passages extending longitudinally therethrough, the passages being disposed in a nominal common plane. The input end of each optical fiber extends through a respective passage, with the axes of the input ends spaced closely together and oriented parallel to the axis of a laser beam directed toward the input ends. The laser beam passes through a positive lens having a focal plane coincident with the input ends of the optical fibers. An axially translatable shaft extends generally perpendicular to the nominal plane and to the beam axis, and is coupled to drive means to shift the axial position of the shaft selectively, rapidly, and reiteratively. A plurality of transparent, planar refracting panels are secured to the shaft in close axial spacing, the refracting panels oriented at differing tangential angles with respect to the shaft and disposed to be translated through the beam axis as the shaft translates to refract the laser beam parallel to the beam axis and offset therefrom sufficiently to direct the beam into an input end of a selected optical fiber.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

John L Rink