Apparatus and method for reducing laser beam attenuation in a liquid medium
US10231781B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/263
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of treating a mobile target tissue with a laser beam includes: providing a laser device for generating a laser beam and providing an optical fiber having a delivery end for guiding the laser beam to the target tissue; a controller causes the laser device to generate one or more laser pulses substantially along the same longitudinal axis. The controller causes the laser device to provide one or more laser pulses. The one or more pulses are selected to allow a vapor bubble formed by the one or more pulse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue. The one or more pulses are delivered to the target tissue through the vapor bubble after the vapor bubble has reached its maximum extent and has begun to collapse to reduce retropulsion of the mobile target tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.