US6893432B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-dispersive probe
Assignee: Jiangxi Medex Technology Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2002-03-22
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Granted: 2005-05-17
•
Expires: 2022-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A surgical probe is disclosed that disperses light sideways from its fore end. A light-dispersive and light-transmissive medium is enclosed within a housing. The medium is preferably divided into sections containing different concentrations of a light-dispersing material within a matrix. The sections are preferably separated by non-dispersive spacers. At the tip end of the probe is preferably a mirror to reflect the light back into the dispersive medium. The mirror may consist of layers with multiple indexes of refraction. By these features, especially in combination, the directionality and intensity distribution of the emitted light may be controlled. The present invention is designed to be useful especially in the use of laser energy in the percutaneous, interstitial irradiation of tissue growths.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred J. Intintoli
- 👤 Dwight Franz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2261; A61B2018/2272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; and a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium filling each section; wherein the index of refraction of the at least one spacer is greater than the index of refraction of the light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; and a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium filling each section; wherein the index of refraction of the at least one spacer is greater than the index of refraction of the light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium comprises a light-dispersing material in a light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 1 , wherein said light dispersing medium in different said sections has different dispersing powers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A probe according to claim 1 , wherein said light dispersing medium in different said sections comprises different concentrations of a light-dispersing material in a light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a reflector at the distal end of the most distal said section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A probe according to claim 5 , wherein the reflector comprises a metal layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A probe according to claim 5 , wherein the reflector comprises a mirror of thin layers of dielectric film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe according to claim 5 , wherein the reflector comprises layers designed to reflect the light back into the housing and exhibits multiple indexes of refraction at each layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A probe according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is transparent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 9 , wherein the housing comprises a transparent tube sealed off by a plug at the distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 10 , further comprising a reflector formed on the end plug.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transmissive housing is a housing that is substantially non-absorptive of light passing through it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 12 , wherein the housing is light-transmissive for infra-red light with a wavelength in the range from 940 to 1064 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe according to claim 13 , further comprising a catheter surrounding the fiber-optic and defining channels to supply and remove said coolant liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 12 , further comprising a sheath surrounding said probe and arranged in use to be supplied with a coolant liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a partially-reflecting layer on at least one end face of said at least one optical spacer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a fiber-optic adapted to conduct light from a source and to which the proximal end of the housing is mounted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium filling each section; and a reflector at the distal end of the most distal said section; wherein the reflector comprises a birefringent material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium filling each section; and a reflector at the distal end of the most distal said section; wherein the reflector comprises a birefringent material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
A light-emitting probe, comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing, having a proximal end adapted to be connected to a source of laser light and a distal end; within said housing a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium, divided along the length of said housing into at least two sections having distinct light-dispersing properties; and a reflector that comprises a birefringent material at the distal end of said housing arranged to reflect the light back into the light-dispersing medium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
A light-emitting probe, comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing, having a proximal end adapted to be connected to a source of laser light and a distal end; within said housing a light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium, divided along the length of said housing into at least two sections having distinct light-dispersing properties; and a reflector that comprises a birefringent material at the distal end of said housing arranged to reflect the light back into the light-dispersing medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 19 , wherein the light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium comprises a light-dispersing material in a light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 20 , wherein said light-dispersing medium in different said sections comprises different concentrations of said light-dispersing material in said light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe according to claim 19 , wherein the reflector comprises a mirror of thin reflecting film layers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe according to claim 19 , wherein the reflector comprises layers designed to reflect the light back into the housing and exhibits multiple indexes of refraction at each layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
A probe according to claim 19 , wherein the housing is transparent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 24 , wherein the housing comprises a transparent tube sealed off by a plug at the distal end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 25 , wherein the reflector is formed on the end plug.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 19 , wherein the light-transmissive housing is a housing that is substantially non-absorptive of light passing through it.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 27 , wherein the housing is light-transmissive for infra-red light with a wavelength in the range from 940 to 1064 nm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 19 , further comprising a fiber-optic adapted to conduct light from a source and to which the proximal end of the housing is mounted.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 29 , further comprising a sheath surrounding said probe and arranged in use to be supplied with a coolant liquid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe according to claim 30 , further comprising a catheter surrounding the fiber-optic and defining channels to supply and remove said coolant liquid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 19 , further comprising at least one optical spacer separating said at least two sections.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 32 , further comprising a partially-reflecting layer on at least one end face of said at least one optical spacer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A probe according to claim 32 , wherein the index of refraction of the at least one spacer is greater than the index of refraction of the light-transmissive and light-dispersing medium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
93 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; and a medium comprising a light-dispersing material in a light-transmissive matrix filling each section; wherein the index of refraction of the at least one spacer is greater than the index of refraction of the light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
93 words
A light-emitting probe comprising: a flexible, light-transmissive housing having a proximal end, adapted to be mounted to and to receive light from a fiber-optic, and a closed distal end; at least one optical spacer dividing the length of the interior of the housing into at least two sections such that the most proximal section abuts the fiber-optic; and a medium comprising a light-dispersing material in a light-transmissive matrix filling each section; wherein the index of refraction of the at least one spacer is greater than the index of refraction of the light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 35 , wherein the index of refraction of the light-dispersing material is greater than the index of refraction of the at least one spacer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 35 , wherein said medium in different said sections comprises different concentrations of said light-dispersing material in said light-transmissive matrix.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 35 , further comprising a reflector at the distal end of the most distal said section.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 35 , further comprising a partially-reflecting layer on at least one end face of said at least one optical spacer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-05-16 | 2008-11-15 | 2009-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-16 | 2012-11-15 | 2013-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-16 | 2016-11-15 | 2017-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |