Abstract: A medical device applies localized heat to a site in a patient's body by irradiation with light and by conduction. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, typically an optic fiber, that carries radiant energy, typically high intensity light such as laser, into a body cavity, typically the uterus, from an energy source, typically a laser source, that is located exterior to the body. At the operative head of the device within the body cavity a portion of the transmitted radiant energy is absorbed and converted to heat. This heat is radiated or conducted from the device head substantially omnidirectionally in order to aid in destruction of tissue, Meanwhile, another portion of the transmitted radiant energy is emitted through an aperture in the device head as light energy suitable for more localized and intense heating and destruction of tissue or other organic matter. This light emission is preferably directionally transverse to an elongate body of the device head.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for generating deep coagulation necrosis as well as surface vaporization in the site of a body cavity. The device provides means for delivering laser energy from the side of the device while providing localized irrigation at its laser delivery port. Laser energy is delivered from a fiberoptic that is bent at its distal end and placed in a catheter body which includes an irrigation channel that terminates at the distal end of that fiberoptic. Deep coagulation necrosis is achieved by: a) placement under endoscopic guidance of the device in the body cavity, b) delivering a predetermined dose of laser energy to target tissue, and c) rotating the device continuously during laser delivery, with at least one revolution in one direction. After the coagulation session has been completed, a detachable heat-generating cap may be mounted at the distal end of the catheter in order to convert the direct laser energy into controlled thermal energy at the surface of that cap.

Abstract: A heart tissue mapping and lasing catheter well suited for control of tachyarrhythmias is disclosed. A distal end region of the catheter has an electrode envelope constituted by plural surface electrode pairs spaced from one another and is provided with at least one fiber optic within the electrode envelope. The emissive face of the fiber optic is situated between adjacent electrode pairs in the electrode envelope.

Abstract: A method for removing unwanted material in a body lumen, cavity or organ provides the steps of using an endoscope or other viewing system to position a suitably sized lateral-lasing fiber optic device axially at one or more places in a body lumen, cavity or organ and delivering a predetermined amount of light energy for a predetermined period of time laterally in one or more directions, while delivering a biocompatible fluid at a predetermined rate of flow. The distal end of the lateral-lasing fiber optic device includes a reflectively-coated metal tip, which is capable of directing, by reflection, the light energy from the optical fiber laterally from the longitudinal axis of the light energy carrying optical fiber and outwardly toward a target tissue region.

Abstract: A medical device applies localized heat to a site in a patient's body by irradiation with light and by conduction. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, typically an optic fiber, that carries radiant energy, typically high intensity light such as laser, into a body cavity, typically the uterus, from an energy source, typically a laser source, that is located exterior to the body. At the operative head of the device within the body cavity a portion of the transmitted radiant energy is absorbed and converted to heat. This heat is radiated or conducted from the device head substantially omnidirectionally in order to aid in destruction of tissue. Meanwhile, another portion of the transmitted radiant energy is emitted through an aperture in the device head as light energy suitable for more localized and intense heating and destruction of tissue or other organic matter. This light emission is preferably directionally transverse to an elongate body of the device head.

Abstract: A medical device applies localized heat to a site in a patient's body by irradiation with light and by conduction. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, typically an optic fiber, that carries radiant energy, typically high intensity light such as laser, into a body cavity, typically the uterus, from an energy source, typically a laser source, that is located exterior to the body. At the operative head of the device within the body cavity a portion of the transmitted radiant energy is absorbed and converted to heat. This heat is radiated or conducted from the device head substantially omnidirectionally in order to aid in destruction of tissue. Meanwhile, another portion of the transmitted radiant energy is emitted through an aperture in the device head as light energy suitable for more localized and intense heating and destruction of tissue or other organic matter. This light emission is preferably directionally transverse to an elongate body of the device head.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced, usually in a containing device, to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in an energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber. The radiation is intercepted at a location axially aligned with the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially circumferentially around, the axis. A reflector member or block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is mounted in an open end of the catheter at a selected axial position along the axis. A fluid, such as a flushing fluid, can be directed between the end of the fiber, against the reflector member, and to the body site.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in a transverse, substantially flat, annular, energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber generally parallel to the axis. The radiation is intercepted axially adjacent the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially around, the axis. A reflector block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is connected to an actuator for locating the reflector block at selected axial positions along the axis whereby the beam irradiates the body site along the axis.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating obstructing material within a corporal lumen includes a fiber optic member through which radiant energy can be transmitted to a distal end adjacent the site of the obstructing material. Beveled surfaces carried on the distal end of the fiber optic member provide output beams of radiant energy oriented in a direction on the order of 45.degree. with respect to an axis of the member. The laterally deflected radiant energy beams impinge upon regions of plaque or obstructing material in the lumen and have an effective radius greater than the radius of the fiber optic member. By rotating the fiber optic member, a circular locus within the lumen can be ablated or vaporized to create a channel in the lumen with a diameter greater than the diameter of the fiber optic member.

Abstract: A coupling system for coupling a beam of radiant energy from a laser to a fiber optic cable includes a secondary transmission path which surrounds the input end of the fiber optic cable and provides an optical path for energy which is not transmitted by the fiber optic core but is lost. Displaced from an output end of the secondary transmission path is a multi-faceted reflector. The reflector is displaced sufficiently from the output end of the secondary transmission path so that the power density of the radiation incident thereon is reduced sufficiently so as to not damage the facets thereof. The coupling system is contained within a heat sink which receives the reflected and lost radiant energy harmlessly converting same to heat.

Abstract: A medical device for applying localized heat to a site in a patient's body is described. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic, and a heat generating element which converts the transmitted radiant energy into heat. A suitable exterior guide member can also be provided for positioning the heat generating element. An opening can be provided in the heat generating element to enable a portion of the radiant energy to impinge directly upon the site. The medical device can be used to cauterize or destroy tissue, or to alter or remove undesirable deposits from lumens. The medical device can also serve as part of a system which provides the radiant energy and measures the temperature of the heat generating element while within the patient.

Abstract: A fiberoptic includes a guide for light or other electromagnetic energy which has a single fiber core with a ring-shaped cross-section and defines an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. A cylindrical central hollow channel extends between the ends of the fiberoptic through the center of the single fiber ring-shaped core. Various devices including coherent fiber viewing bundles, hollow tubular transport channels and the like may be slidingly disposed through the center channel of the core.

Abstract: An endoscopic device having a handle assembly and a catheter assembly is disclosed. The catheter assembly carries a viewing conduit which cooperates with an eyepiece on the handle assembly for viewing in a patient's body cavity. The catheter assembly is preferably rotatably and removably mounted on the handle assembly. Also disclosed is a coupling unit which, together with the catheter assembly, forms an endoscopic camera device.

Abstract: A medical device for applying localized heat to a site in a patient'body is described. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic, and a heat generating element which converts the transmitted radiant energy into heat. A suitable exterior guide member can also be provided for positioning the heat generating element. An opening can be provided in the heat generating element to enable a portion of the radiant energy to impinge directly upon the site. The medical device can be used to cauterize or destroy tissue, or to alter or remove undesirable deposits from lumens. The medical device can also serve as part of a system which provides the radiant energy and measures the temperature of the heat generating element while within the patient.

Abstract: A medical device for applying localized heat to a portion of a patient's body is disclosed. Generally, the device includes a light transmitting conduit and a heat generating element which converts transmitted light into heat. A suitable exterior tube can also be provided for guidance, strength and delivery of fluids. The medical device can be used to cauterize or destroy tissue, or alter or remove deposits from lumens. The medical device can also serve as part of a system which provides the light and measures the temperature of the element.

Abstract: An endoscopic device is disclosed which provides for unobstructed viewing within a body space of a patient. The endoscopic device includes a tube carrying a light transmitting system with a balloon extending over the system. The balloon can be expanded and the interior of the body space inspected or irradicated with a laser beam through the balloon.

Abstract: A dual balloon catheter device is provided with two spaced and expandable balloons for occluding a segment of a blood vessel. The device also includes a first channel for flushing the occluded segment, an optic system for use in the segment, and a second channel for introducing fluid into the blood vessel distally of the device.