Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A lasing catheter for laser ablation of human tissue in a selected body cavity site, comprising in combination: said lasing catheter having an elongated flexible body with a said distal end region; at least one side port located in said solid distal end region having an aperture; at least one elongate fiberoptic in said lasing catheter terminating at said aperture in said side aperture for directing a laser beam sent through said fiberoptic at a target site adjacent to said port; said fiberoptic being bent at an angle ranging from about twenty (20) degrees to about ninety (90) degrees from a central axis of said lasing catheter adjacent said side port directed outwardly from said aperture so as to allow delivery of laser energy outwardly from said side port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A lasing catheter for laser ablation of human tissue in a selected body cavity site, comprising in combination: said lasing catheter having an elongated flexible body with a said distal end region; at least one side port located in said solid distal end region having an aperture; at least one elongate fiberoptic in said lasing catheter terminating at said aperture in said side aperture for directing a laser beam sent through said fiberoptic at a target site adjacent to said port; said fiberoptic being bent at an angle ranging from about twenty (20) degrees to about ninety (90) degrees from a central axis of said lasing catheter adjacent said side port directed outwardly from said aperture so as to allow delivery of laser energy outwardly from said side port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said side port is at least 1 millimeter from said distal end region of said lasing catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein a plurality of fiberoptics are held within said lasing catheter and terminate at said side port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1, further including a flushing channel formed in said lasing catheter; said flushing channel terminating in an outlet port at said side port, adjacent said distal end region of said lasing catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 4 wherein said outlet port of said flushing channel surrounds a plurality of fiberoptics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 4 wherein said outlet port of said flushing channel is surrounded by a plurality of fiberoptics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lasing catheter has an outside diameter ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said laser beam exiting said at least one fiberoptic exits at a divergence angle which approaches the acceptance angle of said at least one fiberoptic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one fiberoptic is comprised of a central core material and at least one layer of cladding material; said at least one layer of cladding material having an index of refraction that is significantly lower than that of said central core material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lasing catheter includes a cap mounted to said distal end region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cap is made of a material that can absorb laser light and generate heat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cap has an inner lining that is made of material that transmits laser energy while providing thermal insulation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cap is removably secured to said lasing catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10, further including a thermocouple in contact with said cap to monitoring and controlling temperature of said cap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10, further including a closed loop feedback control system for controlling temperature of said cap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cap includes an inner surface spaced from an outside surface of said distal end region to define a conduit for passage of irrigating fluid during operation of said lasing catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bend in said at least one fiberoptic is forty-five (45) degrees from said central axis of said lasing catheter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A lasing catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one fiberoptic is selected from suitable materials to produce a high numerical aperture and includes at least one cladding material, to thereby provide said laser beam with an increased launching angle and a maximum limit of its divergence angle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
127 words
A lasing catheter for laser ablation of human tissue, in a selected body cavity comprising in combination: said lasing catheter having an elongated flexible body with a solid distal end region; located in least one laser port at said solid distal end region having an aperture; at least one elongate fiberoptic in said lasing catheter terminating at said aperture in said laser port for directing a laser beam outwardly through said fiberoptic at a target site near aperture in said laser port; and said fiber optic being adjacent said aperture; a cap made from a material that can absorb laser light and generate heat mounted to said distal end region covering said laser port so as to absorb all of said laser light from said laser beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
127 words
A lasing catheter for laser ablation of human tissue, in a selected body cavity comprising in combination: said lasing catheter having an elongated flexible body with a solid distal end region; located in least one laser port at said solid distal end region having an aperture; at least one elongate fiberoptic in said lasing catheter terminating at said aperture in said laser port for directing a laser beam outwardly through said fiberoptic at a target site near aperture in said laser port; and said fiber optic being adjacent said aperture; a cap made from a material that can absorb laser light and generate heat mounted to said distal end region covering said laser port so as to absorb all of said laser light from said laser beam.