Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A laser ablation device comprising: a handle portion having proximal and distal openings; a laser energy transmission mechanism having first and second ends, the first end being extendible through the handle portion; a laser energy generator optically connected to the laser energy transmission mechanism second end; and an advancing mechanism operably connected to the laser energy transmission mechanism, the advancing mechanism being operable to advance the laser energy transmission mechanism through the distal opening of the handle portion at a rate coordinated with the laser generator output to ablate body tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the laser energy transmission mechanism is at least one optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the advancing mechanism is a motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the motor is selected from the group of motors consisting of electric motors, air motor, hydraulic motors and pneumatic motors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the motor is an electrical stepper motor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
29 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a control module, the control module for controlling the advancement rate of the laser energy transmission mechanism.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
21 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser generator is a pulsed high energy laser generator.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
31 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, including means to co-ordinate the laser pulse frequency and/or energy level with the advancement rate of the laser energy transmission mechanism.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
20 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the advancement mechanism is positioned within the handle portion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
18 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the advancement mechanism includes a biasing member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
21 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a compensation assembly operably connected to the handle portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein the compensating assembly includes an outer housing operably connected to the handle portion by a biasing member, the biasing member permitting relative movement between the handle portion and the outer housing.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
19 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the advancing mechanism comprises a constant force spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
133 words
A laser ablation device comprising: a handle portion having proximal and distal openings; a fiber advancing device having a stationary member and a movable member, the movable member being movable towards and away from the stationary member; a fiber casing having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being secured to a proximal end of the handle portion and the proximal end being secured to the stationary member of the fiber advancing device; at least one optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being extendible through the handle portion and a portion of the fiber defined between the proximal and distal ends being secured to the movable member of the fiber advancing device; and a laser energy generator optically connected to proximal end of the at least one optical fiber.