US4646734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser instrument
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Professional Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-10
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Granted: 1987-03-03
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Expires: 2006-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A surgical tool for intercepting laser energy after it has energized a target site but before it energizes adjacent tissue. The instrument includes substrate of material having a high thermal conductivity for transmitting laser energy away from the surgical site and a highly absorbent surface material for absorbing radiant energy at the wavelength of the incident laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Rene J. Cabrera
- 👤 Thomas W. Eager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/04; A61B2090/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An instrument for intercepting an incident laser beam having a wavelength after the laser beam has energized a desired surgical target site but before laser beam energizes material adjacent to the surgical target site comprising: substrate means for transmitting energy received from a laser beam away from a surgical target site, said substrate means having a high thermal conductivity and an exterior surface; coating means for absorbing laser energy at the wavelength of said incident laser beam, said coating means covering substantially the entirety of said exterior surface of said substrate means and having a high absorptivity for energy at the wavelength said incident laser beam; and said coating means having a minimum thickness of at least twenty-five percent of the wavelength of the incident laser beam; said coating means having a maximum thickness which is approximated by the following relationship: χmax α(a·t).sup.0.5 where χmax=the maximum thickness a=thermal diffusivity of the material t=the time the laser energy impinges on the surface α=symbol meaning "proportional to" to allow most of the energy from the laser beam to be conducted through said coating means to the high conductivity substrate material before the next application of the laser beam impinges upon said surface material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An instrument for intercepting an incident laser beam having a wavelength after the laser beam has energized a desired surgical target site but before laser beam energizes material adjacent to the surgical target site comprising: substrate means for transmitting energy received from a laser beam away from a surgical target site, said substrate means having a high thermal conductivity and an exterior surface; coating means for absorbing laser energy at the wavelength of said incident laser beam, said coating means covering substantially the entirety of said exterior surface of said substrate means and having a high absorptivity for energy at the wavelength said incident laser beam; and said coating means having a minimum thickness of at least twenty-five percent of the wavelength of the incident laser beam; said coating means having a maximum thickness which is approximated by the following relationship: χmax α(a·t).sup.0.5 where χmax=the maximum thickness a=thermal diffusivity of the material t=the time the laser energy impinges on the surface α=symbol meaning "proportional to" to allow most of the energy from the laser beam to be conducted through said coating means to the high conductivity substrate material before the next application of the laser beam impinges upon said surface material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said substrate means is aluminum and said coating means is aluminum oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said coating means is anodized aluminum oxide and the finish of said substrate means is a satin finish.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said substrate means is copper and said coating means is a ceramic substance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said substrate means is aluminum and said coating means is a ceramic substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said substrate means includes a thin strip having an axial dimension much greater than its transverse dimension and having at least one axially extending opening extending throughout its entire length to permit cooling fluid to be introduced therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said thin strip includes a plurality of channels extending axially completely along said strip from a single opening at the proximal end of said strip to a plurality of openings at the distal end of said strip; and further including a handle attached to said strip and adapted for providing fluid communication between a source of fluid and said channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said axially extending opening along said strip has at least one branch extending from said opening in the transverse direction and at least one second axially extending opening in fluid communication with said branch and extending to the distal end of said strip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate means is an axially extending rod having an annular cross-section defining an axially extending opening wherein said opening in said annulus forms a channel through said rod to permit irrigation fluid to be introduced therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a handle connected to said substrate means said handle having an opening therethrough for providing fluid communication between said channel and a source of fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 1 further including a base material of an existing surgical tool having an exterior surface, said substrate means affixed to at least a portion of said exterior surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises aluminum oxide, the laser wavelength is that of a carbon dioxide laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.00027 to 0.025 centimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises aluminum oxide, the laser wavelength is that of an Argon laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.000013 to 0.025 centimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises titanium dioxide, the laser wavelength is that of an carbon dioxide laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coatng means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.00027 to 0.016 centimeters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises titanium dioxide, the laser wavelength is that of an Argon laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.000013 to 0.016 centimeters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises silicon carbide, the laser wavelength is that of an carbon dioxide laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.00027 to 0.064 centimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises silicon carbide, the laser wavelength is that of an Argon laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.000013 to 0.064 centimeters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises zirconium oxide, the laser wavelength is that of an carbon dioxide laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.00027 to 0.009 centimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises zirconium oxide, the laser wavelength is that of an Argon laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.000013 to 0.009 centimeters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises titanium nitride, the laser wavelength is that of an carbon dioxide laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.00027 to 0.026 centimeters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the coating means comprises titanium nitride, the laser wavelength is that of an Argon laser and the time the laser beam impinges on said coating means is approximately 1.0 second; and, the maximum thickness of said coating means is in the range of 0.000013 to 0.026 centimeters.
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) | 1990-03-02 | 1990-09-01 | 1991-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-02 | 1994-09-01 | 1995-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-02 | 1998-09-01 | 1999-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |