Laser probe tip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9763736-B2
Application number	US-201414146917-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2014
Priority date	Dec 15, 2010
Publication date	Sep 19, 2017
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017

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. An apparatus comprising:
a waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation, the waveguide comprising a core having a distal tip;
a primary capsule included over the distal tip of the waveguide, the primary capsule having a proximal end and a distal end;
a secondary capsule over the primary capsule, the secondary capsule comprising an outlet port, a proximal end on a proximal side of the distal tip of the waveguide, a distal end on a distal side of the distal tip of the waveguide, and a crimp on the proximal end of the secondary capsule to secure the secondary capsule to the waveguide; and
a fluid flow channel between the primary capsule and the secondary capsule extending from the proximal end of the secondary capsule to the output port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises a protective layer and the crimp compresses the protective layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the crimp comprises at least one tab for compressing the protective layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the protective layer comprises a nylon jacket, and the crimp compresses the nylon jacket.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the primary capsule includes a transmissive surface through which the electromagnetic radiation is discharged; and
the output port is aligned with the transmissive surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , 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 fluid flow channel is formed between the front side of the primary capsule and a front side of the secondary capsule.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the secondary capsule is formed of a malleable metal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip of the core includes a polished surface that is beveled for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation laterally.

9. An apparatus comprising:
an optical fiber comprising a core for communicating the electromagnetic radiation, the core comprising a distal portion configured to direct electromagnetic radiation out of the optical fiber;
a primary capsule included over the distal portion of the core;
a secondary capsule over the primary capsule, the secondary capsule comprising an outlet port adjacent the distal portion of the core and a proximal end including a crimp that secures the position of the secondary capsule relative to the primary capsule; and
a fluid flow channel between the primary capsule and the secondary capsule extending from the proximal end of the secondary capsule to the output port.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the secondary capsule includes a deformable member extending from the back side of the proximal end; and
the crimp is formed by the deformable member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the deformable member comprises at least one tab for compressing a protective layer included on at least a portion of the waveguide.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the waveguide includes a protective layer surrounding the core; and
the crimp compresses the protective layer.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , 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 fluid flow channel is formed between the front side of the primary capsule and a front side of the secondary capsule.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the distal portion of the core includes a polished distal surface that is beveled for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation laterally through the outlet port.

15. An apparatus comprising:
an optical fiber comprising a core and a protective layer surrounding the core, the core comprising a distal tip that extends beyond the protective layer;
a primary capsule included over the distal tip of the core, the primary capsule having a front side and a back side opposite the front side;
a secondary capsule over the primary capsule and comprising:
a proximal end including a crimp that compresses the protective layer of the optical fiber and secures the position of the secondary capsule relative to the primary capsule; and
an outlet port,

wherein the back side of the primary capsule is pressed against a back side of the secondary capsule; and

a fluid flow channel extending from the proximal end of the secondary capsule to the output port between the front side of the primary capsule and the front side of the secondary capsule.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the protective layer comprises a nylon jacket.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the crimp compresses the nylon jacket.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
the primary capsule includes a transmissive surface through which the electromagnetic radiation is discharged; and
the core comprises a polished beveled surface for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation laterally through the transmissive surface and the outlet port.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
the secondary capsule includes a deformable member extending from the back side of the proximal end; and
the crimp is formed by the deformable member.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the deformable member comprises at least one tab for compressing the protective layer.

21. A method of performing a laser treatment using the apparatus of claim 9 comprising the steps of:
transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the core;
discharging the electromagnetic radiation through the primary capsule and the outlet port; and
driving fluid through the fluid flow channel.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein driving fluid through the fluid flow channel includes driving fluid into the fluid flow channel at the proximal end of the secondary capsule and out the outlet port.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein driving fluid through the outlet port and discharging the electromagnetic radiation occurs simultaneously.

24. A method comprising the steps of:
providing a waveguide for communicating the electromagnetic radiation, the waveguide comprising a core having a distal tip and a protective layer;
removing a portion of the protective layer from a distal portion of the waveguide;
attaching a primary capsule over the distal tip of the waveguide;
positioning a secondary capsule over the primary capsule and a portion of the protective layer not removed from the waveguide, the secondary capsule comprising a proximal end on a proximal side of the distal tip of the waveguide and a distal end on a distal side of the distal tip of the waveguide; and
crimping the proximal end of the secondary capsule onto at least a portion of the protective layer not removed from the waveguide to secure the position of the secondary capsule relative to the primary capsule.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the proximal end of the secondary capsule comprises at least one tab for compressing the protective layer.

26. The method of claim 24 , wherein the protective layer comprises a nylon jacket and crimping the proximal end of the secondary capsule compresses the nylon jacket.

Assignees

• Ams Res Llc
• Boston Scient Scimed Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• 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

• 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

• A61B2018/2255

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