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US5343543A
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Side-firing laser fiber with directional indicator and methods of use in determining the orientation of radiation to be emitted from the side-firing laser fiber
Assignee: Laserscope Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-27
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A side-firing laser fiber is provided with a directional indicator for use in determining the orientation of radiation to be emitted from the laser fiber. The laser fiber has an elongate core clad with a nylon jacket. Over a portion of the nylon jacket is placed a sleeve of heat shrinkable material. The sleeve is positioned over the jacket near the distal end of the laser fiber and is heat treated as to be joined to the laser fiber. Biocompatible ink is then applied to the sleeve to form a linear marking capable of delineating the direction of radiation to be emitted from the side-firing laser fiber. In use, the linear marking is oriented in the direction in which the radiation is to be emitted and the laser is then activated. This technique is particularly useful when the distal end of the side-firing laser fiber is obscured from view. The portion of the laser fiber to which the sleeve is attached is still visible when the distal end of the laser fiber is obscured. By utilizing the portion of the linear marking which is still visible, a user can direct the emission of radiation in an advantageous manner.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Novak, Jr.
- 👤 Barbara A. Eichorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2272; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61B2090/395; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A side-firing laser fiber capable of emitting radiation, the laser fiber comprising: a) a laser fiber through which laser radiation is directed, the laser fiber having an emitting tip; b) means for redirecting radiation at the emitting tip to a substantially side-firing angle from the longitudinal axis of the laser fiber; and c) a linear marking associated with said laser fiber, said linear marking extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near the emitting tip so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation emitted from the emitting tip and to be visible even if the emitting tip is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A side-firing laser fiber capable of emitting radiation, the laser fiber comprising: a) a laser fiber through which laser radiation is directed, the laser fiber having an emitting tip; b) means for redirecting radiation at the emitting tip to a substantially side-firing angle from the longitudinal axis of the laser fiber; and c) a linear marking associated with said laser fiber, said linear marking extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near the emitting tip so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation emitted from the emitting tip and to be visible even if the emitting tip is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is comprised of biocompatible ink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart segments of the linear marking and spaces between said segments are the same length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A side-firing laser fiber as defined in claim 3, wherein the ink is green.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is situated in linear alignment with the radiation to be emitted from the emitting tip and extends from a position proximally adjacent to the emitting tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart segments of the linear marking and spaces between said segments are the same length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is situated opposite the direction of emission of radiation to be emitted from the emitting tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart segments of the linear marking and spaces between said segments are the same length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart segments of the linear marking and spaces between said segments are the same length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for redirecting radiation comprises a reflective surface formed at the terminus of the distal end of the laser fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is green.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is radiopaque.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sleeve extending proximally from a position proximally adjacent to the emitting tip, and wherein the linear marking is applied to said sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 13, wherein the linear making is green.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sleeve over a portion of the laser fiber near the emitting tip, and wherein the linear marking is applied to said sleeve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 1, wherein the linear marking is approximately 4 centimeters long.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
216 words
A side-firing laser fiber and directional indicator capable of emitting radiation utilized in performing surgery in conjunction with devices providing visual imaging such as endoscopes and laparoscopes, the side-firing laser fiber comprising; a) an elongate core through which laser radiation is directed, the elongate core having a distal tip; b) a jacket, the jacket cladding the elongate core along substantially the entire length of the elongate core; c) means for redirecting radiation transmitted along the longitudinal axis of the elongate core to a direction substantially side-firing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate core; d) a sleeve surrounding a portion of the elongate core, the sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and e) a linear marking visible on the exterior surface of the sleeve, said linear marking extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near the means for redirecting radiation so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation emitted from the means for redirecting radiation and to be visible even if the means for redirecting radiation is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
216 words
A side-firing laser fiber and directional indicator capable of emitting radiation utilized in performing surgery in conjunction with devices providing visual imaging such as endoscopes and laparoscopes, the side-firing laser fiber comprising; a) an elongate core through which laser radiation is directed, the elongate core having a distal tip; b) a jacket, the jacket cladding the elongate core along substantially the entire length of the elongate core; c) means for redirecting radiation transmitted along the longitudinal axis of the elongate core to a direction substantially side-firing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate core; d) a sleeve surrounding a portion of the elongate core, the sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and e) a linear marking visible on the exterior surface of the sleeve, said linear marking extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near the means for redirecting radiation so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation emitted from the means for redirecting radiation and to be visible even if the means for redirecting radiation is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the sleeve is comprised of heat shrinkable tubing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the elongate core is comprised of quartz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart segments of the linear marking and spaces between said segments are the same length.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the linear marking is comprised of nontoxic, inert ink.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the sleeve is heat shrunk to the elongate core.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the linear marking is situated on the sleeve in linear alignment with the direction of radiation to be emitted from the side-firing laser and extends from a position proximally adjacent to the distal tip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the linear marking is situated opposite the direction of laser radiation to be emitted from the side-firing laser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the linear marking is green.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A side-firing laser fiber as recited in claim 17, wherein the linear marking is approximately 4 centimeters long.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for determining the direction of radiation emitted from a side-firing laser fiber comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a side-firing laser fiber having a linear marking associated with the fiber, the marking corresponding to the direction in which radiation is to be emitted from the fiber, and said marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site; b) inserting the distal end of the laser fiber a known distance into tissue of a patient by observing the portion of the linear marking which remains exposed outside of the tissue; c) orienting the marking in order to control the direction in which laser radiation is to be emitted; and d) emitting laser radiation.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for determining the direction of radiation emitted from a side-firing laser fiber comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a side-firing laser fiber having a linear marking associated with the fiber, the marking corresponding to the direction in which radiation is to be emitted from the fiber, and said marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site; b) inserting the distal end of the laser fiber a known distance into tissue of a patient by observing the portion of the linear marking which remains exposed outside of the tissue; c) orienting the marking in order to control the direction in which laser radiation is to be emitted; and d) emitting laser radiation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for determining the direction of radiation emitted from a side-firing laser fiber as defined in claim 27, wherein the marking associated with the fiber is green.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for applying a linear marking to a side-firing laser fiber, the method comprising the steps of; a) positioning a heat shrinkable sleeve over a portion of a side-firing laser fiber; b) applying heat to the heat shrinkable sleeve to cause the sleeve to become secured to the side-firing laser fiber; and c) applying ink to the sleeve to form a linear marking thereon extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near an emitting tip of the side-firing laser fiber so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation to be emitted from the emitting tip and to be visible even if the emitting tip is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for applying a linear marking to a side-firing laser fiber, the method comprising the steps of; a) positioning a heat shrinkable sleeve over a portion of a side-firing laser fiber; b) applying heat to the heat shrinkable sleeve to cause the sleeve to become secured to the side-firing laser fiber; and c) applying ink to the sleeve to form a linear marking thereon extending a sufficient distance proximally from a position near an emitting tip of the side-firing laser fiber so as to provide a reference with respect to the direction of radiation to be emitted from the emitting tip and to be visible even if the emitting tip is not itself visible during use, said linear marking being formed of a plurality of spaced-apart segments so as to permit measurement of the depth of insertion of the laser fiber into tissue and measurements within the surgical site.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for applying a linear marking to a side-firing laser fiber as defined in claim 29, wherein the ink applied to the sleeve to form a linear marking is green.
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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |