US5746736A — Cryogenic laser lithotripsy with enhanced light a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 77 words

A method for treating tissue of a living body, comprising: increasing tendency of a target region of tissue internal to the living being to absorb a selected type of light by staining the target region with a selected color of stain; reducing temperature of the target region to a selected temperature no greater than zero degrees Celsius; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by irradiating the target region with the selected type of light.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 77 words

A method for treating tissue of a living body, comprising: increasing tendency of a target region of tissue internal to the living being to absorb a selected type of light by staining the target region with a selected color of stain; reducing temperature of the target region to a selected temperature no greater than zero degrees Celsius; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by irradiating the target region with the selected type of light.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 1, further comprising removing pieces of target region tissue from the body.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiating is performed with a laser.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 3, wherein the laser comprises a Nd:YAG laser.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing of the target region temperature is performed with a cryogenic liquid.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 5, wherein the cryogenic liquid comprises liquified nitrogen.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the target region of tissue comprises a tumor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the target region of tissue comprises fatty tissue.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the selected temperature comprises zero degrees Celsius.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the target region prior to staining the target region.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 10, wherein the identifying is performed by ultrasound imaging.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 10, wherein the identifying is performed by x-ray imaging.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the staining of the target region is performed prior to the reducing of the temperature of the target region.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing of the temperature of the target region is performed prior to the staining of the target region.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the stain comprises India ink.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the selected type of light comprises light produced by a Q-switched laser.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for treating tissue from a living body, comprising: inserting a number of conveyance lines into a target of tissue in the living body; injecting a volume of stain through at least one of said conveyance lines into a target region of tissue internal to a living being, said stain selected to increase absorbency of the target region to a selected type of light; injecting a cryogenic substance into the target region through at least one of said conveyance lines to substantially freeze the target region; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by projecting light of the selected type to the target region through at least one of said conveyance lines.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for treating tissue from a living body, comprising: inserting a number of conveyance lines into a target of tissue in the living body; injecting a volume of stain through at least one of said conveyance lines into a target region of tissue internal to a living being, said stain selected to increase absorbency of the target region to a selected type of light; injecting a cryogenic substance into the target region through at least one of said conveyance lines to substantially freeze the target region; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by projecting light of the selected type to the target region through at least one of said conveyance lines.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 17, further comprising applying a selected level of vacuum pressure to at least one of said at least one conveyance lines.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the light is generated by a laser.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 19, wherein the laser comprises a Nd:YAG laser.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the cryogenic substance comprises a liquid.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the cryogenic liquid comprises liquified nitrogen.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the target region of tissue comprises a tumor.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the target region of tissue comprises fatty tissue.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the injecting of the cryogenic substance comprises injecting a cryogenic substance into the target region through at least one of said conveyance lines to reduce temperature of the target region to a selected temperature no greater than zero degrees Celsius.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the target region of tissue includes non-solid tissue, and the injecting of the cryogenic substance reduces temperature of the non-solid tissue sufficiently for the non-solid tissue to substantially solidify.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said conveyance lines include a hollow needle.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said conveyance lines include a laser waveguide.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said conveyance lines include a central tube connected along a lengthwise seam to at least one secondary tube of smaller diameter.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying the target region prior to inserting the conveyance lines into the target region of tissue.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 30, wherein the identifying is performed by ultrasound imaging.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 30, wherein the identifying is performed by x-ray imaging.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 17, wherein the number of conveyance lines comprises one.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 19, the laser comprising a Q-switched laser.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 180 words

A method of treating tissue of a living body, comprising: inserting a cryogenic laser irradiation tool into a living body with sufficient penetration to reach a target region of tissue internal to a living being, the tool comprising: a needle defining a point sufficiently sharp to puncture a selected type of tissue, said needle including: a centrally hollow primary needle; a light-transmitting medium connected lengthwise to the primary needle; and at least one centrally hollow sub-needle connected lengthwise to the primary needle; conveying a selected color of stain to the target region tissue via at least one of the sub-needles to increase a tendency of the target region tissue to absorb a selected type of light; conveying a cryogenic fluid in sufficient amount and temperature to the target region tissue via at least one of the sub-needles to reduce temperature of the target region tissue to a selected temperature not greater than zero degrees Celsius; and directing the selected type of light to the target region tissue via the light-transmitting medium to divide the target region tissue into multiple pieces.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 180 words

A method of treating tissue of a living body, comprising: inserting a cryogenic laser irradiation tool into a living body with sufficient penetration to reach a target region of tissue internal to a living being, the tool comprising: a needle defining a point sufficiently sharp to puncture a selected type of tissue, said needle including: a centrally hollow primary needle; a light-transmitting medium connected lengthwise to the primary needle; and at least one centrally hollow sub-needle connected lengthwise to the primary needle; conveying a selected color of stain to the target region tissue via at least one of the sub-needles to increase a tendency of the target region tissue to absorb a selected type of light; conveying a cryogenic fluid in sufficient amount and temperature to the target region tissue via at least one of the sub-needles to reduce temperature of the target region tissue to a selected temperature not greater than zero degrees Celsius; and directing the selected type of light to the target region tissue via the light-transmitting medium to divide the target region tissue into multiple pieces.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of treating tissue of a living body, comprising: inserting a multi-channel delivery needle into a living body with sufficient penetration to reach a target region of tissue internal to a living being, the needle comprising: a transport line; a waveguide connected to the transport line along a lengthwise seam; at least one injector line connected to the transport line along a lengthwise seam; and wherein the transport, waveguide, and injector lines define a sharpened common end; conveying a selected color of stain to the target region tissue via at least one of the injector lines to increase a tendency of the target region tissue to absorb a selected type of light; conveying a cryogenic fluid in sufficient amount and temperature to the target region tissue via at least one of the injector lines to substantially freeze the target region tissue; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by directing the selected type of light to the target region tissue via the waveguide.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of treating tissue of a living body, comprising: inserting a multi-channel delivery needle into a living body with sufficient penetration to reach a target region of tissue internal to a living being, the needle comprising: a transport line; a waveguide connected to the transport line along a lengthwise seam; at least one injector line connected to the transport line along a lengthwise seam; and wherein the transport, waveguide, and injector lines define a sharpened common end; conveying a selected color of stain to the target region tissue via at least one of the injector lines to increase a tendency of the target region tissue to absorb a selected type of light; conveying a cryogenic fluid in sufficient amount and temperature to the target region tissue via at least one of the injector lines to substantially freeze the target region tissue; and breaking the target region tissue into multiple pieces by directing the selected type of light to the target region tissue via the waveguide.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 36, further comprising removing pieces of the target region tissue from the body via the transport line.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 37, the removing of target region tissue pieces being performed by applying vacuum pressure to the transport line.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 36, the selected type of light being generated by a laser.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 39, the laser comprising a Nd:YAG laser.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 39, the laser comprising a Q-switched laser.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 36, the cryogenic fluid comprising a cryogenic liquid.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 42, the cryogenic liquid comprising liquified nitrogen.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 36, the target region tissue comprising a tumor.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 36, the target region tissue comprising fatty tissue.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 36, the conveying of the cryogenic fluid reducing temperature of the target region tissue to a selected temperature no greater than zero degrees Celsius.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 36, further comprising identifying the target region prior to inserting the multi-channel delivery needle.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 47, the identifying being performed by ultrasound imaging.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 47, the identifying being performed by x-ray imaging.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 36, the stain being conveyed to the target region before conveying the cryogenic fluid to the target region.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 36, the stain being conveyed to the target region after conveying the cryogenic fluid to the target region.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 10 words

The method of claim 36, the stain comprising India ink.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 36, the at least one injector line comprising multiple injector lines.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 36, the waveguide and the at least one injector line being housed within the transport line.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 36, the waveguide and the at least one injector line being secured to a surface internal to the transport line.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 36, the transport line comprising a metallic material.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 36, the waveguide including a sheath housing a slidably removable optically transmissive medium.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 36, the waveguide comprising an optically transmissive medium.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of claim 36, the multi-channel delivery needle further including a visual guidance line connected to the primary transport line along a lengthwise seam, said visual guidance line having a viewing end and having an objective end proximate the common end, the method further comprising said visual guidance line gathering images proximate the objective end and transmitting said images to the viewing end.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-04	2001-11-03	2002-05-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-04	2005-11-03	2006-05-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-04	2009-11-03	2010-05-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cryogenic laser lithotripsy with enhanced light absorption

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