Variable pulse duration, adjustable wavelength medical laser system
US6554825B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00181
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical laser system is disclosed for generating a pulsed output beam of variable pulse duration and wavelength. The on time of the laser is the pulse duration which is generated by a Q-switch operated in a repetitive mode as a train of micropulses. According to one embodiment, a repetitively Q-switched frequency-doubled solid state laser produces an input beam which is subsequently used to excite a dye laser. An excitation source of the solid state laser is modulated to control the pulse duration of the input beam. The dye laser receives the input beam and responsively generates an output beam of adjustable wavelength having a pulse duration corresponding to the pulse duration of the input beam. The wavelength of the output beam is controlled by adjusting a tuning element of the dye laser. The dye laser is coupleable to a delivery system for directing the output laser beam to a biological tissue target. By carefully controlling the pulse duration and wavelength of the beam delivered to the target tissue, a user of the laser system may avoid or minimize damage to tissue adjacent to the target tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.