Xintec Corporation

Other

Marilyn M Chou

John L Rink

King J Yu

Ken T Yu

Mark H K Chim

Herrick Tam

Nicholas Chim

Kwok H Ngai

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

A combined laser and ultrasonic device includes a combination laser and ultrasonic source, a control console and a combined laser and ultrasonic delivery handpiece. The system has three modes of operation: 1) laser energy only, 2) ultrasonic energy only and 3) combined laser and ultrasonic energy. All three modes of operation are controlled by a single foot-operated activation switch, which will operate the laser source, the ultrasonic source or both, depending on which mode the device is operating in according to a mode switch on the control console. The combined laser and ultrasonic delivery handpiece includes an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic vibrating tip, which is mounted in close proximity to a laser delivery wave guide, such as a flexible optical fiber. The combined laser and ultrasonic device can be used to perform a variety of surgical procedures, including an improved method of a laser excisional new attachment procedure (Laser E.N.A.P.), which is described for treatment of periodontal diseases.

Combined ultrasonic and laser device and method of use

A method for performing transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) uses a cardioplegic agent to briefly stop the heartbeat long enough to create 10 to 40 carefully placed transmyocardial blood flow channels using a laser. The cardioplegic agent used may be adenosine or an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, such as aprikalim, or a standard hyperkalemic cardioplegic agent. The temporarily induced motionlessness of the heart allows accurate and efficient placement of the blood flow channels, while the short duration of the cardioplegic effect obviates the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The blood flow channels can be formed from the exterior or the interior of the heart. Preferably, the TMR procedure is performed using an infrared laser, such as a CO.sub.2 laser with an articulated-arm waveguide or a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a flexible fiberoptic delivery system, or a near infrared laser, such as a holmium:YAG or erbium laser with a flexible fiberoptic delivery system, because of their ability to efficiently ablate clearly defined passages through myocardial tissue without inducing significant thermal damage to the surrounding myocardium. The laser delivery device or a separate probe can be used to verify the depth of the blood flow channels and their connection with the ventricular chamber. The heart resumes beating spontaneously after reperfusion, with no need for defibrillation or cardioversion. The TMR procedure can be performed by a cardiac or thoracic surgeon using standard open-chest surgical techniques or using a minimally invasive surgical approach or by an interventional cardiologist using a percutaneous transluminal intravascular approach.

Method for transmyocardial revascularization

A reusable connector adapter for coupling any fiber optic transmittable laser source to a fiber optic laser delivery device, the laser source having a laser energy output port. The adapter allows the use of a variety of different laser sources with a variety of different fiber optic laser delivery devices. The adapter maintains the fiber optic laser delivery device adjacent to the laser energy output port such that the laser energy to be transmitted is communicated efficiently to the fiber optic laser delivery device. The adapter further comprises a laser interlock deactivation means such that if a laser source has a mechanical, electrical or optical interlock system, the adapter will function to deactivate the interlock system. Furthermore, the adapter also comprises a plurality of optical barriers to prevent the unintended transmission of laser energy when, for example, the fiber optic laser delivery device has not been installed or has not been installed properly.

Reusable optical fiber connector adapter with plurality of optical

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

The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser beam angle delivery devices for use in medical procedures such as a laser assisted transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other applications, and more particularly, to such devices wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered through and at various angles to the central axis of an optical fiber by refraction or reflection off of a reflective insert or other reflective layer placed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the tip of the optical fiber, the tip assembly being encased by a quartz or other transparent material cap, the transparent cap being held secusely in place by an attachment means.

Transparent cap fiber optica laser beam angle delivery device

A reusable connector adapter for coupling a fiber optic laser delivery device with a laser source having a laser energy output port. The adapter allows the use of a variety of different laser sources with a variety of different fiber optic laser delivery devices. The adapter maintains the fiber optic laser delivery device adjacent to the laser energy output port such that the laser energy to be transmitted is communicated efficiently to the fiber optic laser delivery device. The adapter further comprises a laser interlock deactivation means such that if a laser source has a mechanical, electrical or optical interlock system, the adapter will function to deactivate the interlock system. Furthermore, the adapter also comprises an optical barrier to prevent the unintended transmission of laser energy when, for example, the fiber optic laser delivery device has not been installed or has not been installed properly.

Reusable optical fiber connector adapter with optical barrier

The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser beam angle 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 an optical fiber by reflection off of a combination of surfaces.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Marilyn M Chou