Patent US5395362A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5395362A
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Methods and apparatus for distributing laser radiation
Assignee: Summit Technology Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-14
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Granted: 1995-03-07
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Expires: 2012-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are disclosed for distributing and delivering laser radiation with substantially uniform intensity to multi-spatial locations. Laser radiation is directed into a fiber optic waveguide which homogenizes the spatial intensity of the laser beam via mode-mixing. The laser radiation is then coupled from the mode-mixing waveguide to multiple distribution fibers that are terminated at desired spatial locations, e.g., at the distal end of a surgical tool. The output from each of the multiple distribution fibers is laser radiation of substantially uniform intensity.
Inventors
- 👤 Alex G. Sacharoff
- 👤 David W. Haluska
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0927; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421; G02B6/4296; A61B2018/2205; A61B2018/2211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for delivering substantially uniformly intensity laser radiation to a plurality of spatial locations on a surgical tool, the method comprising: directing laser radiation into a mode-mixing, single-core, fiber-optic waveguide; coupling said therapeutic laser radiation from waveguide to multiple distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool; terminating said multiple distribution fibers within the surgical tool at desired spatial locations; and selectively distributing radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for delivering substantially uniformly intensity laser radiation to a plurality of spatial locations on a surgical tool, the method comprising: directing laser radiation into a mode-mixing, single-core, fiber-optic waveguide; coupling said therapeutic laser radiation from waveguide to multiple distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool; terminating said multiple distribution fibers within the surgical tool at desired spatial locations; and selectively distributing radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of directing the laser radiation into the mode-mixing waveguide further comprises the step of focusing the laser radiation into a region defined by the numerical aperture of said waveguide.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for performing surgery by distributing laser radiation to multi-spatial locations, the apparatus comprising: a single-core fiber, optically alignable with a source laser radiation and operating to mix the modes of said radiation as the radiation propagates through the single-core fiber; focusing means for focusing laser radiation into said single-core fiber; interface means, for transmitting said laser radiation from said single-core fiber to a plurality of distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool, such that the fluence of radiation transmitted to each distribution fiber is substantially uniform; and selection means for selectively distributing ablative radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for performing surgery by distributing laser radiation to multi-spatial locations, the apparatus comprising: a single-core fiber, optically alignable with a source laser radiation and operating to mix the modes of said radiation as the radiation propagates through the single-core fiber; focusing means for focusing laser radiation into said single-core fiber; interface means, for transmitting said laser radiation from said single-core fiber to a plurality of distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool, such that the fluence of radiation transmitted to each distribution fiber is substantially uniform; and selection means for selectively distributing ablative radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the diameter of said single-core, mode-mixing fiber ranges from about 100 to about 1000 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the diameter of distribution fibers ranges from about 25 to about 300 μm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-06 | 1998-09-05 | 1999-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-06 | 2002-09-05 | 2003-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-06 | 2006-09-05 | 2007-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |