A method and apparatus for minimizing damage to an optical fiber used as part of a laser radiation delivery system are disclosed. The apparatus includes the use of a spacer positioned adjacent the tip of the fiber to minimize the impact on the fiber tip of debris and vapor generated by exposure of a tissue target to high energy radiation. The end of the apparatus is configured to vent debris and vapor from the end of the tip to reduce damage. The fiber tip may also be annealed to enhance its resistance to damage. The buffer material may also be stripped from the delivery end of the fiber so that the inner diameter of the outer support can be narrowed. An epoxy resin is injected into the space between the uncoated fiber and the support to stabilize the fiber and prevent it from bending. The delivery end of the fiber can also be enlarged to shield the remainder of the fiber from debris and vapor.
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/584,287 filed on Sep. 18, 1990, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 07/577866, filed Sep. 4, 1990, which was in turn a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 07/477,256, filed Feb. 7, 1990, all now abandoned.
A laser-powered surgical tool comprises an elongate distal end portion suitable for laparoscopic surgery, and contains an extreme distal end portion by which a laser-powered tip is applied to tissue to generate incisions of predetermined but adjustable depth therein. The tissue being incised is held by suction in an optimum position for advancing the incision while, simultaneously, any gases and incidental fluids generated or released by the advancing incision are removed by suction applied immediately around the incision point as the incision proceeds.
A method and apparatus for dilating blood vessels in vasospasm through the use of high frequency wave, e.g., hydraulic or acoustic waves. The invention is suitable to treat any vasospasm, including any vasospasm intractable to medication, including cerebral vasospasm, which currently is not susceptible to any mechanical or chemical treatments. The apparatus for dilating blood vessels includes a catheter having a fluid-filled lumen, a wave generator arranged within the catheter lumen for generating a wave front that propagates through the fluid in the lumen and is transmitted from the distal end of the catheter to propagate through the fluid in the blood vessel, and an energy source connected to the wave generator to provide energy to produce the wave front.
An angled beam-delivery handpiece includes a barrel for delivering a monochromatic light beam; a contact surface at the distal end of the barrel; a window in the side of the barrel proximate the contact surface; an aperture in the contact surface; and a refractive element in the barrel above the window for diverting the beam carried by the barrel to exit the aperture at an angle to the laser beam in the barrel.
A method and apparatus for dilating blood vessels in vasospasm through the use of high frequency wave, e.g., hydraulic or acoustic waves. The invention is suitable to treat any vasospasm, including any vasospasm intractable to medication, including cerebral vasospasm, which currently is not susceptible to any mechanical or chemical treatments. The apparatus for dilating blood vessels includes a catheter having a fluid-filled lumen, a wave generator arranged within the catheter lumen for generating a wave front that propagates through the fluid in the lumen and is transmitted from the distal end of the catheter to propagate through the fluid in the blood vessel, and an energy source connected to the wave generator to provide energy to produce the wave front.
A dental apparatus, including an instrument having an optical fiber for delivering UV light, an optical viewing fiber and an irregular surface located on the exterior surface at the distal end of the instrument to provide tactile feedback. The instrument preferably additionally comprises an irrigation channel, a suction channel, and abrasives on the distal end of the device. Other aspects of the invention include inventive dental procedures, facilitated by the apparatus, including the cleaning of teeth, periodontic and endodontic procedures, and bleaching discolored teeth.
