US5688261A — Transparent laser surgical probe

Claim 1

Independent Claim 176 words

A laser surgery apparatus, comprising: a probe that is adapted to deliver a beam of laser light, said probe comprising an elongate rod substantially transparent to said light and having a longitudinal axis, said rod having a reflecting surface adapted to reflect said beam of laser light from said rod towards a selected spot on tissue that is located generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, said reflecting surface being transparent to visible light and being disposed to reflect said beam of laser light such that substantially the entire reflected beam of laser light is directed along a single output path that extends generally transversely to said longitudinal axis, from said reflecting surface to said spot on said tissue, wherein visible light propagating from said spot on said tissue towards said reflecting surface along said output path propagates through said reflecting surface so as to be visible through said reflecting surface, and wherein said probe has an end portion configured for tissue manipulation, said end portion having an apex offset from the longitudinal axis of the probe.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 176 words

A laser surgery apparatus, comprising: a probe that is adapted to deliver a beam of laser light, said probe comprising an elongate rod substantially transparent to said light and having a longitudinal axis, said rod having a reflecting surface adapted to reflect said beam of laser light from said rod towards a selected spot on tissue that is located generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, said reflecting surface being transparent to visible light and being disposed to reflect said beam of laser light such that substantially the entire reflected beam of laser light is directed along a single output path that extends generally transversely to said longitudinal axis, from said reflecting surface to said spot on said tissue, wherein visible light propagating from said spot on said tissue towards said reflecting surface along said output path propagates through said reflecting surface so as to be visible through said reflecting surface, and wherein said probe has an end portion configured for tissue manipulation, said end portion having an apex offset from the longitudinal axis of the probe.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said laser light is invisible.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rod has an index of refraction selected such that said surface reflects said laser light by total internal reflection.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surface is oriented to reflect an incoming light beam in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of said incoming beam.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surface is uncoated.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rod is elongate and said surface is disposed to reflect laser light propagating along said longitudinal axis such that the reflected light propagates along an output axis which is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said member rod has a circular cross section.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said surface is formed on an end of said rod.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said end of said rod is generally wedge-shaped.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said rod comprises sapphire.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transparent reflecting surface is exposed to the outside environment.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 158 words

An optical apparatus comprising a laser surgical probe which is adapted to receive a laser light beam along a longitudinal axis and is adapted to direct said laser light beam along a single output path that extends generally transversely to said longitudinal axis, from said probe to a spot on tissue, said apparatus comprising: a member comprising a rod of dielectric material having a transparent reflecting surface which is configured to redirect the light beam through total internal reflection at an angle to said longitudinal axis, such that substantially the entire said light beam exits said probe along said single output path, wherein visible light propagating from said spot on said tissue toward said surface along said output path is visible through said reflecting surface; and a collimator which is adapted to receive the laser light beam and collimates the light beam and provides the collimated light beam such that light incident on said reflecting surface is collimated.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 158 words

An optical apparatus comprising a laser surgical probe which is adapted to receive a laser light beam along a longitudinal axis and is adapted to direct said laser light beam along a single output path that extends generally transversely to said longitudinal axis, from said probe to a spot on tissue, said apparatus comprising: a member comprising a rod of dielectric material having a transparent reflecting surface which is configured to redirect the light beam through total internal reflection at an angle to said longitudinal axis, such that substantially the entire said light beam exits said probe along said single output path, wherein visible light propagating from said spot on said tissue toward said surface along said output path is visible through said reflecting surface; and a collimator which is adapted to receive the laser light beam and collimates the light beam and provides the collimated light beam such that light incident on said reflecting surface is collimated.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The optical apparatus of claim 12, wherein said collimator collimate the light beam before it has been redirected by the reflecting surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The optical apparatus of claim 12, wherein said reflecting surface is at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis at least as great as the critical angle for total internal reflection of said laser light.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

The optical apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising an optical fiber having a proximal end a distal end.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The optical apparatus of claim 15, wherein said optical fiber is a flouride-based optical fiber.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The optical apparatus of claim 16, wherein said optical fiber is a disposable, single-use fiber.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The optical apparatus of claim 12, wherein said collimator comprises a sapphire microball having its center at the focal distance from the proximal end of said fiber.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 161 words

A laser apparatus which is adapted to deliver a laser light beam towards a selected spot on tissue, said apparatus comprising: a flexible waveguide for directing a laser light beam along a longitudinal axis; a probe comprising an elongate rod which is adapted to receive said laser light beam along said longitudinal axis, said probe having an end portion configured for manipulation of tissue, said end portion having an exposed apex, said probe comprising a reflecting surface disposed to redirect the laser light beam at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis, such that substantially the entire said laser light beam exits said probe through an output surface of said rod along a single output path that is at a substantial angle relative to said longitudinal axis, and extends from said reflecting surface to said spot on said tissue, said reflecting surface being disposed at an angle to said longitudinal axis, and said apex being transversely offset from the longitudinal axis.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 161 words

A laser apparatus which is adapted to deliver a laser light beam towards a selected spot on tissue, said apparatus comprising: a flexible waveguide for directing a laser light beam along a longitudinal axis; a probe comprising an elongate rod which is adapted to receive said laser light beam along said longitudinal axis, said probe having an end portion configured for manipulation of tissue, said end portion having an exposed apex, said probe comprising a reflecting surface disposed to redirect the laser light beam at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis, such that substantially the entire said laser light beam exits said probe through an output surface of said rod along a single output path that is at a substantial angle relative to said longitudinal axis, and extends from said reflecting surface to said spot on said tissue, said reflecting surface being disposed at an angle to said longitudinal axis, and said apex being transversely offset from the longitudinal axis.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 11 words

The probe of claim 19, wherein said output surface is curved.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

The probe of claim 19, additionally comprising a housing which retains said rod, wherein said edge portion extends distally beyond said housing.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 35 words

The probe of claim 19, wherein said reflecting surface is at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis at least as great as the critical angle required for total internal reflection of said laser light.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 29 words

The probe of claim 19, wherein said reflecting surface is transparent to visible light propagating from said spot, along said path, through said output surface to said reflecting surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

The probe of claim 19, wherein said end portion comprises a wedge formed by a juncture of said reflecting surface and said output surface.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-11-17	2001-05-19	2001-11-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-11-17	2005-05-19	2005-11-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-11-17	2009-05-19	2009-11-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Transparent laser surgical probe

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