Abstract:
The present invention provides an optical microprobe device and method for focusing multimodal radiation with wavelength-scale spatial resolution and delivering the focused radiation to a specimen, including: a radiation source; and one or more of a plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent spheres and a plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent cylinders optically coupled to the radiation source; wherein the one or more of the plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent spheres and the plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent cylinders periodically focus radiation optically transmitted from the radiation source such that radiation ultimately transmitted to the specimen has predetermined characteristics. Preferably, the spheres or cylinders are assembled inside one of a hollow waveguide, a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber, a capillary tube, and integrated in a multimode fiber. Alternatively, the spheres or cylinders are assembled on a substrate. Optionally, the optical microprobe device also includes one or more of a waveguide, an optical fiber, a lens, and an optical structure disposed between the radiation source and the spheres or cylinders. Optionally, the spheres or cylinders are made from optically nonlinear or active materials that permit efficient nonlinear frequency generation and low-threshold lasing using the optical microprobe device.
Abstract:
A rugged flexible hollow-fiber waveguide (1) that permits preservation of good transverse spatial coherence of input infrared laser radiation and that transmits substantial power of such radiation, with low attenuation. The present invention preferably comprises a small-diameter thin-wall silica-glass tube (3); a protective coating on the outer surface of the tube (3); a sufficient reflective layer (4) on the inner surface of the tube (3); and a thickness, optimal for the wavelength(s) of interest, of dielectric on the exposed surface of the reflective layer (4). The fiber (1) is manufactured with processes that maintain the smoothness of the bore. In addition to transmitting mid-infrared laser radiation through the bore of the flexible hollow-fiber waveguide (1), a second beam may be transmitted through the annular body of the flexible hollow-fiber (1). The second beam may comprise an aiming beam which creates a ring pattern surrounding the infrared beam, or the second beam may be a second therapeutic beam in the visible or near infrared region.
Abstract:
A Minimally Invasive Surgical Laser Hand-piece ("MISLH") for use with a probe is described. The MISLH has a MISLH proximal end and MISLH distal end, and the MISLH may include an optical coupler located at the MISLH proximal end, a substantially straight central bore within the MISLH, and an internal beam stop aperture within the central bore adjoined to the optical coupler. The central bore may extend from the optical coupler to the MISLH distal end and the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe within the central bore at the MISLH distal end. Additionally, the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe such that the probe is adjoined to the internal beam stop aperture.
Abstract:
The optical delivery system and method utilizes the combination of a thermally and optically conductive surgical blade with a light source. The light source, which can be a laser or a high power incoherent light source, provides light of a wavelength that is readily absorbed by the blood at the incision site so that photocoagulation is induced to reduce bleeding. The surgical blade is made from a material that transmits light to the incision site without significant absorption of energy which might heat the blade, thus, the only heating of the blade results from contact with the heated blood. Shaping and direction optics can be integrated into the blade to focus, expand, or steer the incoming light beam.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a methods and systems for high speed laser surgery. In some implementations, the combination of mid-infrared (mid-IR) laser radiation with micro-scanning technology allows for large tissue ablation rates with minimal thermally affected zones, where micro-scanning distributes the heat generated by laser surgery over a large tissue area. Micro-scanning technology is compatible with hollow core fiber technology which can be implemented to deliver near diffraction limited mid-IR laser beams into the vicinity of the target area. Micro-scanning technology is compatible with hand tools for direct replacement of mechanical surgical tools such as scalpels as well as robotic surgery. Micro-scanning technology is also compatible with endoscopic beam delivery and can be combined with endoscopic tissue analysis. Tissue analysis can be performed with optical imaging technology as well as other analytical tools such as mass spectrometers.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a light source configured to provide radiation at a wavelength and a conduit configured to direct radiation at a wavelength from the light source to a target location of a patient. The conduit includes a first optical waveguide extending along a waveguide axis, the first optical waveguide being a flexible waveguide having a hollow core, the first optical waveguide being configured to guide the radiation at through the core along the waveguide axis; and a second optical waveguide extending along the waveguide axis, the second optical waveguide having a hollow core and being coupled to the first optical waveguide to receive the radiation from the first optical waveguide and to deliver the radiation to the target location. The first optical waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber and the second optical waveguide is not a photonic crystal fiber waveguide.
Abstract:
Plane-polarized laser-radiation from a laser-source is converted to circularly polarized radiation by a quarter-wave plate (12). The circularly polarized radiation is input into a hollow-core fiber for transport to a point of use (20). The transported radiation is converted back to plane-polarized radiation by another quarter-wave (22) plate between the fiber and the point of use.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur medizinischen Behandlung, insbesondere eines Gewebes, mittels Laserlicht (2), mit einer optischen Lichtleit-Faser (4), die zum Weiterleiten des eingekoppelten Laserlichts (2) einen Kern (9) und ein darüber angeordnetes Cladding (10) aufweist, dass im Cladding (10) in Faserlängsrichtung verlaufende Kapillaren (12) in einem radialen Abstand von der Längsachse (14) der Lichtleit-Faser (4) angeordnet sind, die im Querschnitt gesehen einen Kapillarring (15) bilden, dessen Kapillarhohlräume (15) durch Stege (17) voneinander getrennt sind, deren Breite (18) kleiner als die Lichtwellenlänge des Laserlichts (2) ist. Das Lichtaustrittsende (6) der Lichtleit-Faser (4) ist gekrümmt und das stirnseitig aus dem Lichtaustrittsende (6) austretende Laserlicht (2) tritt quer zur Lichtleit-Faser (4) aus.
Abstract:
An apparatus facilitating percutaneous delivery of laser energy includes: a hollow needle having a cutting edge at an insertion end thereof; and a laser fiber fixedly embedded within the hollow needle, the embedded laser fiber within the needle being permanently fixed within the hollow needle as one non detachable unit.