Apparatus and method for reducing laser beam attentuation in a liquid medium
US9895196B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/263
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of optimizing the irradiation of a target with laser radiation includes selecting and mounting on a laser radiation delivery device either a waveguide or optical fiber type to be used; also, selecting at least the following parameters: selecting the total energy of the at least one train of pulses to be delivered to the target, and selecting the distance from the distal delivery end to the target; then, initiating irradiation of the target for the at least one train of pulses by generating a first laser pulse with sufficient energy (Ei) to form a vapor bubble in a liquid medium; allowing the vapor bubble formed to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the distal delivery end and the target; and, thereafter, after the selected time delay (Td) sufficient for the formed vapor bubble to reach its optimum extent, generating a second laser pulse (Ep), the second laser pulse being delivered to the target through the formed vapor bubble.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.