Surgical method and apparatus utilizing laser energy for removing body tissue
US5224942A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B18/26
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved surgical method and apparatus using laser energy for destroying body tissue which includes a surgical handpiece including a surgical tip assembly which is driven by means of laser to achieve optical breakdown, plasma formation and shockwave generation to emulsify or destroy body tissue. The surgical tip assembly includes a laser fiber, a focusing means to enhance optical breakdown of tissue or fluid caused by laser energy transmitted through the laser fiber and an emulsification tip that is resonate tuned to vibrate in response to shockwaves produced by the optical breakdown caused by the laser energy. The emulsification tip and focusing means are configured in a spaced relationship to form an acoustic resonating chamber which further emulsifies body tissue and facilitates mixing of tissue with irrigation fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.