Abstract: A side fire optical fiber tip is provided for use in high power laser applications having outputs of greater than or equal to 50 Watts. A predetermined length of an output tip on the distal end of the optical fiber is formed with an optical fiber core and cladding layer of preselected thickness wherein the cladding to core diameter ratio is at least as great as 1.2. A side fire surface is formed on the distal end of the core/clad output end. Over this optical fiber output end, a pure silica capillary tube is fused to the predetermined length of exposed cladding where the outermost cladding is also pure silica to reduce thermal mismatch during the fusion process. By having the refractive index at the fusing interface matched, and bubbles or gaps eliminated or prevented, it is possible to substantially eliminate Fresnel reflection losses at this interface.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for efficient low power density endoluminal treatment of veins. Devices emit energy radially from an optical fiber with two or more emitting portions at its distal region. for 360° radial (circumferential) emission of vein walls. Emitting sections comprise a fiber with a truncated cone attached to a short conically-tipped fiber at the distal end. The fiber segments are butt-coupled or glued, and then laterally fused to the protective glass dome/cap. Laser power is substantially entirely absorbed within a fraction of the blood vessel wall to achieve blood vessel closure. Wavelengths including 980 nm, 1470 nm and 1950 nm are used which are substantially absorbed within the first third of a blood vessel wall. Consequently, a local anesthetic along the treated blood vessel is substantially avoided. Due to a fiber device's multiple emission points, withdrawal speed can be increased, and/or emitted energy levels can be set at minimum values.

Abstract: An improved method and device is provided for safe and efficient low power density endoluminal treatment of venous insufficiency and similar procedures. One such device emits pulsed or continuous energy radially from an optical fiber with two or more emitting portions at its distal region for 360° radial (circumferential) emission in various portions of the vein. Each emitting section comprises a fiber with a truncated cone and a short fiber segment with a conical tip at the distal end of the fiber assembly. Different embodiments are presented which vary according to geometrical dimensions of emitting sections, such as diameter of the truncated cone, fiber core diameter and length of the fiber segment in front of the fiber with its truncated cone. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber and the short fiber segment are “butt-coupled” inside the glass dome with no additional adhering means. The fiber and the short fiber segment are laterally fused to the protective glass dome.

Abstract: An optical fiber treatment system is provided for high power laser transmission to an area of medical treatment. A side fire optical fiber tip for use in high power laser applications having outputs of greater than or equal to 50 Watts is a key to the system. Embodiments are particularly appropriate for the medical treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) with a side fire optical fiber tip using a Holmium:YAG laser or a high power diode laser. Such procedures can be done with only local anesthesia. A predetermined length of an output tip on the distal end of the optical fiber of the present invention is formed with an optical fiber core and cladding layer of preselected thickness wherein the cladding to core diameter ratio is at least as great as 1.1. A side fire surface is formed on the distal end of the core/clad output end.

Abstract: An optical fiber treatment system is provided for high power laser transmission to an area of medical treatment. A side fire optical fiber tip for use in high power laser applications having outputs of greater than or equal to 50 Watts is a key to the system. Embodiments are particularly appropriate for the medical treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) with a side fire optical fiber tip using a Holmium:YAG laser or a high power diode laser. Such procedures can be done with only local anesthesia A predetermined length of an output tip on the distal end of the optical fiber of the present invention is formed with an optical fiber core and cladding layer of preselected thickness wherein the cladding to core diameter ratio is at least as great as 1.2. A side fire surface is formed on the distal end of the core/clad output end.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system including one or more fiber optic bundles for highly efficient collection, transmission and/or distribution of optical radiation is disclosed. For each bundle, the cladding thickness is reduced or removed along a portion of each fiber, forming uncladded or reduced cladding fiber sections or ends, and the unclad or reduced cladding fiber sections/ends are pressed or fused to form intimate core contact section. The intimate core contact section may optionally be coated with a cladding material. The resulting bundle consists substantially or exclusively of optical fiber cores, with little or no interstitial area. The bundles of the present invention thus provide the ability to transmit optical radiation to or from the fiber optic bundles, or between bundles, with little or no loss of power. Further, optical terminations may be included on the ends of these bundles to increase the input energy into the bundle or distribute the energy to other sources.

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that can be used as an active medium in fiber lasers and/or fiber amplifiers, featuring a preferably rare-earth-doped silica active core surrounded by a pure or doped silica cladding layer (“pump core”). The pump core is surrounded by a doped or pure silica inner cladding for guiding pumping radiation within the pump core. Thus, the refractive index of the inner cladding is lower than that of the pump core. The fiber is surrounded by a protective coating made of polymeric material. One or more additional outer cladding layers, having refractive indexes lower than said inner cladding, may optionally be placed between the inner cladding and the protective coating to further protect the polymer coating from damage. Unlike the prior art, the protective coating does not serve as the only cladding, but is assisted by the inner cladding and optional outer cladding(s).

Abstract: An optical fiber is disclosed that can be used as an active medium in fiber lasers and/or fiber amplifiers, featuring a preferably rare-earth-doped silica active core surrounded by a pure or doped silica cladding layer (“pump core”). The pump core is surrounded by a doped or pure silica inner cladding for guiding pumping radiation within the pump core. Thus, the refractive index of the inner cladding is lower than that of the pump core. The fiber is surrounded by a protective coating made of polymeric material. One or more additional outer cladding layers, having refractive indexes lower than said inner cladding, may optionally be placed between the inner cladding and the protective coating to further protect the polymer coating from damage. Unlike the prior art, the protective coating does not serve as the only cladding, but is assisted by the inner cladding and optional outer cladding(s).