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Patent US6080148A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6080148A
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Variable pulse width lasing device
Assignee: Trimedyne Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-18
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2016-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A variable pulse width lasing device for selectively reducing the amount of laser energy provided during a surgical procedure is described. The device includes a central processing unit, a laser resonator, pulse width detector and a pulse modulator. The central processing unit provides a switch activation command to the modulator. The modulator also receives a laser pulse produced by the laser resonator which has an initial pulse width and a wavelength which is compatible for transmission through an optical fiber. The modulator varies the width of the laser pulse for providing an output pulse at a selected pulse width and energy level.
Inventors
- 👤 Sanford Damasco
- 👤 Marvin P. Loeb
- 👤 Randall J. Blair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00137; A61B2017/00154; A61B2017/00181; A61B2017/0019; A61B2017/00973; A61B2017/00977
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A variable pulse width lasing device comprising: a central processing unit responsive to a detection signal for transmitting a switch activation command; a laser resonator for producing a laser pulse having an initial pulse width and a wavelength which is compatible for transmission through an optical fiber; a pulse width modulator which receives said laser pulse and is responsive to said switch activation command for varying said initial laser pulse width after said laser pulse is produced by said resonator to provide an output pulse having predetermined energy and pulse width; and a detector responsive to said output pulse for producing said detection signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A variable pulse width lasing device comprising: a central processing unit responsive to a detection signal for transmitting a switch activation command; a laser resonator for producing a laser pulse having an initial pulse width and a wavelength which is compatible for transmission through an optical fiber; a pulse width modulator which receives said laser pulse and is responsive to said switch activation command for varying said initial laser pulse width after said laser pulse is produced by said resonator to provide an output pulse having predetermined energy and pulse width; and a detector responsive to said output pulse for producing said detection signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is an erbium: YAG resonator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is an erbium: YSGG resonator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is a holmium:YAG resonator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is a holmium:YSGG resonator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is an excimer resonator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said wavelength is less than 3.5 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said modulator includes an electrooptic switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said modulator incudes an acousto-optic switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said modulator incudes a dye cell Q-switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, further comprising a bypass route, responsive to a bypass command from said central processing unit, for directing said laser pulse around said modulator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for transmitting user input instructions to said processing unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, further including another laser resonator for producing a second laser pulse, said second laser pulse received by said modulator for providing a second output pulse having said selected amount of energy level and pulse width.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said detector is responsive to the pulse width of said output pulse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator provides a plurality of laser pulses at a selected frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 15, wherein said selected frequency is in the range of about 3 Hz to 80 Hz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said selected amount of energy is in the range of about 0.1 mJ to about 3500 mJ.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 10, wherein said modulator further includes two beam polarizers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 1, wherein said modulator includes a mechanical Q-switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 19, wherein said user input instructions include laser pulse frequency, laser pulse width, laser energy output and laser power output.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The variable pulse width lasing device of claim 19, wherein said user interface includes a foot-switch whose degree of foot-pressure generates a signal to the central processing unit which corresponds to the energy level and pulse width of said output pulse.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
A lasing device comprising: a user interface for transmitting user input instructions; a central processing unit responsive to said user input instructions and a detection signal for transmitting a switch activation command; a laser resonator for producing a laser pulse at a wavelength less than 3.5 μm; a pulse modulator which receives said laser pulse and is responsive to said switch activation command for providing an output pulse having a selected pulse width and amount of energy after said laser pulse is produced by said resonator; and a detector responsive to said output pulse for producing said detection signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
99 words
A lasing device comprising: a user interface for transmitting user input instructions; a central processing unit responsive to said user input instructions and a detection signal for transmitting a switch activation command; a laser resonator for producing a laser pulse at a wavelength less than 3.5 μm; a pulse modulator which receives said laser pulse and is responsive to said switch activation command for providing an output pulse having a selected pulse width and amount of energy after said laser pulse is produced by said resonator; and a detector responsive to said output pulse for producing said detection signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said laser resonator provides a plurality of laser pulses at a selected frequency in the range of about 3 Hz to 80 Hz.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said laser resonator is an erbium: YAG resonator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said laser resonator is an erbium: YSGG resonator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said laser resonator is an excimer resonator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said selected amount of energy is in the range of from 0.1 mJ to 3500 mJ.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said modulator includes an electro-optic switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said modulator incudes a mechanical Q-switch.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said modulator incudes a dye cell Q-switch.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lasing device of claim 22, further comprising a bypass route, responsive to a bypass command from said central processing unit, for directing said laser pulse around said modulator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said user input instructions include laser pulse frequency, pulse width, laser energy and laser power output.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said user interface includes a foot-switch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lasing device of claim 22, further comprising another laser resonator for producing a second laser pulse, said second laser pulse received by said modulator to provide a second output pulse having a selected pulse width and amount of energy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lasing device of claim 22, wherein said detector monitors a selected amount of energy within said output pulse.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
72 words
A method which comprises the steps of: producing a laser pulse having an initial pulse width; transmitting a detection signal in response to said initial pulse width; transmitting a switch activation command responsive to said detection signal; varying said initial pulse width in response to said switch activation command to provide an output pulse having a predetermined energy and pulse width; transmitting an output detection signal in response to said output pulse.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
72 words
A method which comprises the steps of: producing a laser pulse having an initial pulse width; transmitting a detection signal in response to said initial pulse width; transmitting a switch activation command responsive to said detection signal; varying said initial pulse width in response to said switch activation command to provide an output pulse having a predetermined energy and pulse width; transmitting an output detection signal in response to said output pulse.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36, further including the step of transmitting a user input instruction to control said switch activation command.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36, further including the steps of generating a second laser pulse and directing said second laser pulse around a switch.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 36, wherein varying said initial pulse width includes the step of passing said laser pulse through an input polarizer to provide polarized laser energy.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39, wherein varying said initial pulse width further includes the step of rotating said polarized laser energy.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 40, wherein varying said initial pulse width further includes the step of passing said polarized laser energy through an output polarizer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |