US5558668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical laser treatment system and method
Assignee: PLC Medical System Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-11
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Granted: 1996-09-24
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Expires: 2014-10-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved medical laser treatment system and method generates a beam of laser energy at a predetermined wavelength; transmits the beam of laser energy along a path to a medical treatment site; delivers to the medical treatment site an insufflating gas which is absorbent at the predetermined wavelength; and introduces into the path of the beam of laser energy a non-absorbent purge gas which is transparent to the predetermined wavelength of the laser, at a flow rate for opposing the influx of insufflating gas to reduce the resonant absorption of the laser beam energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M. Lankford
- 👤 Thomas S. MacGregor, III
- 👤 Charles C. Negus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/201; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3474; A61M; A61M13/00; A61M13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An improved medical treatment laser system including a gas laser for generating a beam of laser energy at a predetermined wavelength, means for transmitting the beam of laser energy to a medical treatment site, and means for delivering to the medical treatment site an insufflating gas which use is absorbent at the predetermined wavelength, the improvement comprising: means for introducing, to the means for delivering the laser beam a non-absorbent purge gas which is transparent to the predetermined wavelength of the gas laser at a flow rate for opposing the influx of insufflating gas to the means for delivering and reducing resonant absorption of the laser beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved medical treatment laser system including a gas laser for generating a beam of laser energy at a predetermined wavelength, means for transmitting the beam of laser energy to a medical treatment site, and means for delivering to the medical treatment site an insufflating gas which use is absorbent at the predetermined wavelength, the improvement comprising: means for introducing, to the means for delivering the laser beam a non-absorbent purge gas which is transparent to the predetermined wavelength of the gas laser at a flow rate for opposing the influx of insufflating gas to the means for delivering and reducing resonant absorption of the laser beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said insufflating gas is CO 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said gas laser is a CO 2 laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said purge gas is inert.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said purge gas ms argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said means for transmitting includes a laparoscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said means for delivering includes a cannula associated with said laparoscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 7 in which said means for introducing includes port means on said laparoscope for receiving said purge gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improved medical treatment laser system of claim 1 in which said purge gas is introduced at a flow rate of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 liters per minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
An improved medical laser treatment method comprising: generating a beam of laser energy at a predetermined wavelength; transmitting the beam of laser energy along a path to a medical treatment site; delivering to the medical treatment site an insufflating gas which is absorbent at the predetermined wavelength; and introducing into the path of the beam of laser energy a non-absorbent purge gas which is transparent to the predetermined wavelength of the laser at a flow rate for opposing the influx of insufflating gas to reduce the resonant absorption of the laser beam energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
An improved medical laser treatment method comprising: generating a beam of laser energy at a predetermined wavelength; transmitting the beam of laser energy along a path to a medical treatment site; delivering to the medical treatment site an insufflating gas which is absorbent at the predetermined wavelength; and introducing into the path of the beam of laser energy a non-absorbent purge gas which is transparent to the predetermined wavelength of the laser at a flow rate for opposing the influx of insufflating gas to reduce the resonant absorption of the laser beam energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved medical laser treatment method of claim 10 in which said insufflating gas is CO 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved medical laser treatment method of claim 10 in which said purge gas is inert.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved medical laser treatment method of claim 10 in which said purge gas is argon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved medical laser treatment method of claim 10 in which said purge gas is introduced at approximately 0.1 to 0.5 liters per minute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |