Optical fiber for myocardial channel formation

Claim 1

An elongated laser device for forming a channel within a wall of a patient's heart comprising: a) an elongated optical probe member having a closed distal end forming a lens, an open proximal end and an interior chamber in fluid communication with the open proximal end; b) an elongated optical fiber having a proximal end configured for connection to a source of laser energy and a distal end which extends through the open proximal end of the probe member into the interior chamber thereof, and which is in optical transmitting relationship with the distal end of the optical probe member forming a lens; c) a body of adhesive disposed about a portion of the optical fiber and at the proximal end of the optical probe member and securing the proximal end of the optical probe member to the optical fiber; and d) a flexible tubular polymeric encapsulating support member which has an open ended proximal portion disposed about and secured to the optical fiber at a location proximal to the proximal end of the optical probe and an open ended distal portion having larger dimensions than the proximal portion disposed about and secured to a proximal portion of the optical probe.