US3906953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic surgical laser system
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-23
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A surgical laser system for performing surgical operations upon a patient. The system includes a laser which could be a continuous wave laser which can be continuously energized if desired, and means for continuously illuminating the work site (patient tissue). There is further provided means for concurrent observation of the site and exposure of the site to the laser beam. Additionally, novel use of a light-transmissive pellicle provides a protective physical barrier between the inclement atmosphere associated with the surgical work site (moisture, mucus) and expensive optics including a beam splitter employed in the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Wallace
- 👤 Jan Pejchar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:10
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/03; B23K26/032; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B1/12; A61B1/267; A61B1/2676; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/201; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/02; A61F9/022; A61B2018/2205; A61B2018/2222; A61B2018/2233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An endoscopic surgical laser system comprising in combination: a laser device, means for energizing said device at a power frequency selected from a range of power frequencies including DC thereby generating a possibly continuous laser beam, an endoscope attachment, means for operatively applying said beam to said attachment, an endoscope for exiting said beam from said attachment and for performing surgery therewith, fiber optic means mounted within said endoscope for continuously illuminating with visible light a site being impinged upon by said beam, said endoscope including means for permitting reflected visible light from said site to reach said endoscope attachment, observer eyepiece means operatively associated with said endoscope attachment for receiving said reflected visible light, and means for controlling said beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An endoscopic surgical laser system comprising in combination: a laser device, means for energizing said device at a power frequency selected from a range of power frequencies including DC thereby generating a possibly continuous laser beam, an endoscope attachment, means for operatively applying said beam to said attachment, an endoscope for exiting said beam from said attachment and for performing surgery therewith, fiber optic means mounted within said endoscope for continuously illuminating with visible light a site being impinged upon by said beam, said endoscope including means for permitting reflected visible light from said site to reach said endoscope attachment, observer eyepiece means operatively associated with said endoscope attachment for receiving said reflected visible light, and means for controlling said beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as recited in claim 1 and wherein said endoscope attachment comprises first mirror means for receiving and substantially fully reflecting said beam and beam splitter means for receiving and fully transmitting said substantially fully reflected beam to said endoscope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as recited in claim 2 includiing beam-wavelength and visible-wavelength transmissive pellicle means mounted in said exiting means transverse to said substantially fully reflected beam for providing a barrier to flow of fluids from said site to said endoscope attachment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 3 including ventilation means for cooling said pellicle means and for evaporating said fluids from said pellicle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as recited in claim 4 and wherein said endoscope attachment includes second mirror means for receiving said reflected visible light from said beam splitter means and for reflecting said reflected visible light to said eyepiece means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endoscopic surgical laser system for operating on a patient, said system comprising a laser, means for energizing said laser thereby providing a laser beam, endoscopic means for manually controllably directing said beeam to a surgical work site of said patient, and means for continuously exposing said work site to said beam and concurrently observing said work site.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endoscopic surgical laser system for operating on a patient, said system comprising a laser, means for energizing said laser thereby providing a laser beam, endoscopic means for manually controllably directing said beeam to a surgical work site of said patient, and means for continuously exposing said work site to said beam and concurrently observing said work site.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |