Patent · US Expired

Laser system and method for treatment of biological tissues

US6743221B1 · kind B1 · utility

39Cited by
187References
21Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 2002
Grant dateJun 1, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2009/00874
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system for and method of performing laser assisted surgery is disclosed. Laser radiation is preferably delivered to a target area of tissue using a Er:YAG laser source. The laser radiation is delivered to the target area in bursts of laser radiation comprising sets of laser pulses. The bursts of laser radiation are preferably delivered to the target area at a repetition rate in a range of 10 to 40 Hz and with sufficient pulse fluences to cut and/or dissect. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, interchangeable and flexible endo-probes are configured with shield features. The shield features control the emission of laser radiation from the optical fiber while bending the flexible probes allow surgeons to access a range of approach angles for the laser treatment of biological tissue enclosed or within a cavity of a body. The probes can also be configured with mechanical cutters or other structures which allow for the mechanical manipulation of tissue during laser treatment. The system for and method of performing laser assisted surgery is particularly well suited for treating fibrous and/or fibro-vascular membranes (FVMs) on ophthalmic tissue during vitreoretinal surgery.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.