EP1116476A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus using a laser lucent needle
Assignee: Indigo Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1992-03-24
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2012-03-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to apparatus for laser-induced hyperthermis or photodynamic therepy, more particularly to an apparatus combining an optical fiber with a laser lucent needle. As is well known, lasers produce an intense beam of electromagnetic radiation of high spectral purity which can be collimated to a fine degres with high radiation densities, small angular divergences, and long coherence length. Such properties make lasers particularly attractive for a variety of medical uses. The use of lasers to induce hyperthermia in tissue involves the insertion of an optical fiber into tissue. Without any additional protection, the fiber must be able to withstand insertion and withdrawal forces without fracturing or shedding material. Any accident during hyperthermia which leaves behind material which may not be easily retrieved could be disastrous.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Conn
- 👤 Thomas Robert Loree
- 👤 Irving Joseph Bigio
- 👤 Karlheinz Strobl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0613; A61N5/062; A61N5/067; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22087; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/2005; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2261; A61B2018/2266; A61B2018/2272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for the transmission of laser energy
to tissue, comprising: a hollow, laser light lucent needle having a shaft
and a tip, and adapted to transmit laser energy at least
along a substantial portion of the length of the shaft
and the tip; and at least one optical fiber disposed within the
needle and extending into a penetrating portion of the
needle, the fiber being adapted to transmit laser energy
from its end adjacent said penetrating portion; the needle having a configuration such that its
interior surface is spaced from the exterior surface of
the fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a spacer
formed to axially support the fiber within the needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the end of
the penetrating portion of the needle is tapered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the end of
the penetrating portion of the needle is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the energy
transmitting end of the fiber is spaced from the closed
end of the needle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the end of
the penetrating portion of the needle is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a solid
stylus in said needle slidably close-fit to the interior
surface of the needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber
includes a diffusing tip at its energy transmitting end,
the tip being adapted to diffuse the energy transmitted
from the fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
scatterer positioned adjacent the closed end of the
needle, and adapted to diffuse the energy transmitted
from the fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the scatterer
is spherical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the scatterer
is a reflector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spacer is
a scatterer positioned adjacent to the closed end of the
needle, and adapted to diffuse the energy transmitted
from the fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the closed
end of the needle further includes refractive scattering
material adapted to diffuse the energy transmitted from
the fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the needle
further includes refractive scattering material
positioned within the walls and closed end of the
needle, the refractive material being adapted to diffuse
the energy transmitted from the fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fiber
includes a lens at its energy transmitting end, the lens
being adapted to diffuse the energy transmitted from the
fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the lens is
spherical.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the lens is
a high-refractive-index negative lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a
liquid disposed within the needle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the liquid
is a fluorescent dye.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising
a second hollow, transparent needle adapted to transmit
laser energy; the second needle being shaped such that first
needle is receivable within its interior with the
interior surface of the second needle spaced from the
exterior surface of the first needle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an
energy converter positioned adjacent the closed end of
the needle, and adapted to convert the wavelength of the
energy transmitted from the fiber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the needle
further includes wavelength-converting material
positioned within the walls and closed end of the
needle, the converting material being adapted to convert
the wavelength of the energy transmitted from the fiber.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for treating benign prostate
hypertrophy comprising inserting at least one optical
fiber into a lobe of a prostate gland and directing
laser light through said optical fiber into said lobe to
heat tissue of said lobe to an elevated temperature for
a time sufficient to induce necrosis of said tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 in which said optical
fiber is contained in a laser light lucent needle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 24 in which said needle
has a shaft and tip, and is adapted to transmit laser
energy at least along a substantial portion of the
length of the shaft and through the tip, said optical
fiber being disposed within the needle and extending
into a penetrating portion of the needle, the fiber
being adapted to transmit laser energy from its end
adjacent said penetrating portion, said needle having a
configuration such that its interior surface is spaced
from the exterior surface of the fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 in which said optical
fiber is inserted into the approximate center of said
lobe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 in which tissue
adjacent said optical fiber is heated to about 45-52°C
for a period of from about one to about 30 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.