Laser probe tip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10098698-B2
Application number	US-201715678632-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 16, 2017
Priority date	Dec 15, 2010
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

A probe tip for communicating and laterally directing electromagnetic radiation comprises a waveguide, a primary capsule, a compressible member and a malleable secondary capsule. The waveguide is configured to communicate electromagnetic radiation and includes a beveled surface at a distal tip for redirecting electromagnetic radiation in a lateral direction. The primary capsule is attached over the distal tip of the waveguide. The compressible member covers a portion of the primary capsule. The malleable secondary capsule is positioned over the primary capsule and the compressible member, and includes a crimp that compresses the compressible member against the primary capsule and secures the secondary capsule to the primary capsule.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
producing electromagnetic radiation using a laser resonator;
transmitting the electromagnetic radiation from the laser resonator to a probe tip, wherein the probe tip includes a distal end of a waveguide, a primary capsule attached to the distal end of the waveguide, a secondary capsule positioned at least partially over the primary capsule, and at least one crimp on a proximal end of the secondary capsule to secure the secondary capsule to at least one of the primary capsule or the waveguide;
positioning the probe tip in a first fluid flow channel, wherein the first fluid channel extends distally of the crimp;
allowing fluid to flow into a second fluid flow channel between the primary capsule and the secondary capsule; and
delivering electromagnetic radiation to tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary capsule includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an outlet port between the proximal and distal end portions.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one crimp includes an annular dent in the secondary capsule that extends towards the primary capsule.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one crimp includes at least one tab.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid flow channel extends from the proximal end of the secondary capsule to an outlet port on a lateral portion of the secondary capsule.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary capsule includes a malleable material.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering electromagnetic radiation to tissue includes discharging the electromagnetic radiation in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

8. A method, comprising:
producing electromagnetic radiation using a laser resonator;
transmitting the electromagnetic radiation from the laser resonator to a probe tip, wherein the probe tip includes a distal end of a waveguide, a primary capsule having a transmissive surface, wherein the secondary capsule includes an outlet port on a first side and is secured to at least one of the waveguide or the primary capsule by a crimp, and wherein the crimp is formed by at least one deformable member positioned on a proximal end of the secondary capsule and on the first side of the secondary capsule;
positioning at least a portion of the probe tip in a first fluid flow channel of a medical device;
allowing fluid to flow into a second fluid flow channel between the primary capsule and the secondary capsule; and
delivering electromagnetic radiation to tissue.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
a back side of the primary capsule, which is opposite a front side of the primary capsule, is pressed against a back side of the secondary capsule; and
the second fluid flow channel is formed between the front side of the primary capsule and a front side of the secondary capsule.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second fluid flow channel extends from the proximal end of the secondary capsule to an outlet port of the secondary capsule.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the waveguide includes a protective layer, and wherein the crimp compresses the protective layer.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein a distal end of the waveguide includes a beveled surface that is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of positioning at least a portion of the probe tip in a first fluid flow channel of the medical device includes positioning at least a portion of the probe tip in the first fluid flow channel of at least one of an endoscope or cystoscope.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising a compressible member positioned between the primary capsule and the secondary capsule.

15. A method, comprising:
providing a medical device including a probe tip, wherein the probe tip includes a distal end of an optical fiber, a primary capsule attached to the distal end of the optical fiber, and a secondary capsule positioned at least partially over the primary capsule, wherein the secondary capsule is secured relative to the primary capsule by a crimp on a proximal end of the secondary capsule and a portion of the probe tip is in a first fluid flow channel distal to the crimp;
producing electromagnetic radiation;
transmitting the electromagnetic radiation to the probe tip;
allowing fluid to flow into a second fluid flow channel of the probe tip; and
discharging electromagnetic radiation from the probe tip.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the medical device further includes that the crimp includes a tab proximate the proximal end of the secondary capsule.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the medical device further includes that the crimp includes a deformation in the secondary capsule that extends towards the primary capsule.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the medical device further includes that the secondary capsule includes a tubular sleeve having an open proximal end and an open distal end.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of discharging electromagnetic radiation includes discharging the electromagnetic radiation in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the medical device further includes that the optical fiber includes a protective layer, and wherein the crimp compresses the protective layer.

Assignees

• Boston Scient Scimed Inc

Inventors

• Chia Wen-Jui Ray
• Wu Meiling
• Ghinea Ion
• Ko Ming

Classifications

• Y10T29/4902

  Electromagnet, transformer or inductor · CPC title

• A61B2018/2272

  with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam (A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B18/22 Primary

  the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; {Couplings or} hand-pieces therefor · CPC title

• Y10T29/49929

  Joined to rod · CPC title

• A61B2018/2255

  Optical elements at the distal end of probe tips · CPC title