The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 16, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 08, 1994
Johnny M Bruce, Spring, TX (US);
Endeavor Surgical Products, Inc., The Woodlands, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved side-firing laser fiber assembly is provided in which the output end terminates in a substantially flat face having an arcuate edge around the circumference thereof. The presently preferred fiber has a preferred diameter of about 1000 microns and is made from quartz, silica or a thermoplastic. A bend is preferably located approximately 1.5 millimeters proximally of the emitting face of the fiber, and has a preferred bend angle of about 135 to 145 degrees, resulting in a laser beam directed approximately 30 degrees off-axis of the main body of the optical fiber suitable for use in a non-contact mode to effect deep tissue coagulation and tissue necrosis. The configuration of the optical fiber minimizes burning and cracking typically associated with quartz fibers without the need for a protective metal cap. It operates much cooler than conventional metal-capped fibers, so that it does not generally stick to tissue with which it inadvertently comes into contact during use, and does not usually require irrigation cooling. The foregoing attributes make the apparatus of the present invention particularly useful in treatment of benign prostatis hyperplasia as well as other surgical procedures for which side-firing laser fiber assemblies are useful.