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:
Mar. 04, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 07, 1993
Daniel Schuman, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Surgical Laser Technologies, Inc., Oaks, PA (US);
Abstract
The surgical tool is used in conjunction with a direct contact laser that is powered through a small diameter laser power tube. In one embodiment, the tool includes a bendable, rigid tube having a lumen sufficiently larger than the laser power tube such that upon application of an axial, inboard directed force, the laser power tube is axially compressed within the lumen of the bendable tube. The contact laser tip, located at the end of the power tube, is powered by a laser core which is retained within the lumen of the laser power tube. The laser core is flooded by irrigation and cooling fluid flowing through the laser power tube. This fluid is ejected or emitted from the distal end of the laser power tube immediately behind the laser contact tip. In one embodiment, the bendable tube includes a handle and a bendable, rigid nozzle made of plastic. A longitudinally actuated suction control valve is disposed in the handle. The laser power tube extends through the valve seat of this control valve such that upon actuation of the valve, the laser power tube and hence the contact laser tip moves with respect to the rigid tube.