Laser energy delivery tip element with throughflow of vaporized materials

Abstract

A laser energy delivery tip element for applying laser energy received through an optical fiber has a foraminous element disposed to receive laser light energy emitted from the optical fiber to be heated thereby. The heated portion of the foraminous element is disposed to be contacted to a tissue so as to heat and vaporize a portion of the tissue to form an incision. Suction is applied to the laser energy tip element to immediately draw away from the incision site any gaseous and/or vaporized substances generated during its use to apply heat, the sucked-away substances passing through openings in the foraminous element and around and outside the optical fiber, to thereby facilitate viewing of the incision-making activity. In another aspect of the invention, a separately controlled electrical voltage is applied through the foraminous element to generate a relatively high current over a small area of the patient's incised tissue to, for example, cauterize a cut blood vessel, the current passing through a relatively large surface area of the patient to an electrically conducting support element. A surgeon utilizing such a laser energy tip element with separate control over a cauterizing current can thus employ a single hand-held surgical tool to cut through tissues, cauterize any cut blood vessels, and simultaneously remove any gaseous and/or vaporized substances generated by either the laser-cutting or electro-cautery actions.