Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber core having a multilayer dielectric coating. For side-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an angled surface at the core distal end to produce total internal reflection of laser energy at the angled surface. The coating can also be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and the angled surface can be collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral or side-fired direction. For end-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and a perpendicular surface at the core distal end can be collectively configured to direct laser energy in a direction substantially parallel to the distal end portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vaginal manipulator configured to be inserted through a vaginal opening. The vaginal manipulator includes an elongated portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongated portion has an actuating mechanism. The vaginal manipulator further includes a head portion extending from the distal end portion of the elongated portion. The head portion includes a linear piercing member. The piercing member is configured to temporarily help retain a bodily implant proximate an outer surface of a vaginal wall. The piercing member is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the head portion. Further, the actuating mechanism is operatively coupled to the piercing member and is configured to move the piercing member from its retracted position to its extended position.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a tubular member. The medical device may also include a handle assembly connected to the tubular member. The handle assembly may include a handle housing, and an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly may include an illumination unit housed within an interior of the handle housing. The illumination assembly may also include an illumination fiber operatively coupled to the illumination unit. The illumination unit may extend through the interior of the handle housing into an interior of the tubular member. The illumination unit may also include a heat sink coupled to the illumination unit. The heat sink may be configured to receive heat from the illumination unit, and dissipate the heat away from the illumination unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.

Abstract: An adjustable accessory for a medical device having an elongate tube and a lumen extending therein, the adjustable accessory including a handle adapted for connection to a proximal end of the elongate tube. The handle including a longitudinal axis and a slot on the handle transverse to the longitudinal axis. The slot includes multiple detent positions and a fitting movably disposed in the slot. The fitting is configured to be releasably secured within one of the detent positions, and the fitting includes a port in communication with the lumen of the elongate tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber disposed inside a lumen defined along a curved path within a capillary. The distal end surface of the optical fiber can be substantially flush with a portion of an outside surface of the capillary that defines a transmissive portion. The distal end portion of the optical fiber and the curved path can be collectively configured to direct laser energy through the transmissive portion in a lateral or side-fired direction that is offset from a longitudinal axis or centerline of the capillary. In some embodiments, more than one optical fiber can be disposed along the curved path. In other embodiments, more than one curved path can be defined within the capillary such that a distal end portion of an optical fiber can be disposed along each of the curved paths.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vaginal manipulator configured to be inserted through a vaginal opening. The vaginal manipulator includes an elongated portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongated portion has an actuating mechanism. The vaginal manipulator further includes a head portion extending from the distal end portion of the elongated portion. The head portion includes a linear piercing member. The piercing member is configured to temporarily help retain a bodily implant proximate an outer surface of a vaginal wall. The piercing member is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the head portion. Further, the actuating mechanism is operatively coupled to the piercing member and is configured to move the piercing member from its retracted position to its extended position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.

Abstract: An adjustable accessory for a medical device having an elongate tube and a lumen extending therein, the adjustable accessory including a handle adapted for connection to a proximal end of the elongate tube. The handle including a longitudinal axis and a slot on the handle transverse to the longitudinal axis. The slot includes multiple detent positions and a fitting movably disposed in the slot. The fitting is configured to be releasably secured within one of the detent positions, and the fitting includes a port in communication with the lumen of the elongate tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.

Abstract: A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement includes a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft. The probe portion is arranged at a position opposite the handle portion, and is shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of a patient. A temperature sensing element is arranged within the distal probe portion and is adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient. The probe portion can include one or more compliant materials and/or be shaped so as to compress during insertion through the anal sphincter of the patient.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. An outer surface of the capillary defines a recessed transmissive portion of the capillary. The area of the recessed transmissive portion can be a four-sided area or an area with a rounded boundary, for example. An optical-fiber-core end portion disposed within the capillary can include an end surface configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral direction and through the recessed transmissive portion of the capillary. The lateral direction can be substantially normal to the recessed transmissive portion of the capillary and offset from a longitudinal axis of the distal end portion of the core. The end surface of the core can be non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be disposed on the end surface of the core.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. In some embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be disposed on an angled surface of the reflector. In other embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be positioned between a distal end surface of the reflector and an inner side of a distal end portion of the capillary. The coated reflector can be configured to increase laser energy redirected from a first portion of an optical path to a second portion of the optical path that is non-parallel to the first portion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber disposed inside a lumen defined along a curved path within a capillary. The distal end surface of the optical fiber can be substantially flush with a portion of an outside surface of the capillary that defines a transmissive portion. The distal end portion of the optical fiber and the curved path can be collectively configured to direct laser energy through the transmissive portion in a lateral or side-fired direction that is offset from a longitudinal axis or centerline of the capillary. In some embodiments, more than one optical fiber can be disposed along the curved path. In other embodiments, more than one curved path can be defined within the capillary such that a distal end portion of an optical fiber can be disposed along each of the curved paths.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber core having a multilayer dielectric coating. For side-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an angled surface at the core distal end to produce total internal reflection of laser energy at the angled surface. The coating can also be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and the angled surface can be collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral or side-fired direction. For end-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and a perpendicular surface at the core distal end can be collectively configured to direct laser energy in a direction substantially parallel to the distal end portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for the treatment of tissue includes compressing a portion of the tissue to be treated using an expandable member and emitting a plurality of energy pulses toward that portion of the tissue. The pulses can be pulses of electromagnetic radiation and can be based on a pulse parameter value. The pulse parameter value can be modified based on a signal from a sensor.