Abstract: A thulium fiber laser system can be used to treat tissues based on the ability for quick changes between laser pulses. For example, to treat stones in a tissue, a long pulse having low peak power can be used to create bubbles in front of the stone (calculi), then follow a series of shorter pulses and higher peak power can be used to break the stone. The sequence can be repeated to maintain large bubble formation, with the long pulse characteristics changed to accommodate for the changes in the tissue. A fluorescent sensing assembly can be used to detect the tissue conditions for selecting the conditions of the thulium fiber laser.

Abstract: A surgical laser system can include a fluorescent sensing assembly for detecting fluorescent signal from a tissue under a surgical operation of the surgical laser system. The surgical laser system can include an aiming laser assembly, which can be configured to provide excitation energy for the fluorescent process. The surgical laser system can include an infrared sensing assembly, which can provide temperature related data, for example, to prevent damages to the tissue due to overheating. The surgical laser system can be configured to use the off-time of the surgical laser for tissue sensing. Data from tissue sensing can be further analyzed by an integrated robotic surgical system to provide a highly precise surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to surgical lasers and more specifically to a laser beam control and delivery system that accurately and efficiently directs a laser beam into an optical fiber. The laser beam control and delivery system also provides additional functions, including a connection for a fiber tip temperature control system and a tissue temperature sensing system. The present invention also relates to a surgical laser system that has a high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to surgical lasers and more specifically to a laser beam control and delivery system that accurately and efficiently directs a laser beam into an optical fiber. The laser beam control and delivery system also provides additional functions, including a connection for a fiber tip temperature control system and a tissue temperature sensing system. The present invention also relates to a surgical laser system that has a high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system.

Abstract: A surgical laser system can include a fluorescent sensing assembly for detecting fluorescent signal from a tissue under a surgical operation of the surgical laser system. The surgical laser system can include an aiming laser assembly, which can be configured to provide excitation energy for the fluorescent process. The surgical laser system can include an infrared sensing assembly, which can provide temperature related data, for example, to prevent damages to the tissue due to overheating. The surgical laser system can be configured to use the off-time of the surgical laser for tissue sensing. Data from tissue sensing can be further analyzed by an integrated robotic surgical system to provide a highly precise surgical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to surgical lasers and more specifically to a laser beam control and delivery system that accurately and efficiently directs a laser beam into an optical fiber. The laser beam control and delivery system also provides additional functions, including a connection for a fiber tip temperature control system and a tissue temperature sensing system. The present invention also relates to a surgical laser system that has a high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser apparatus and methods for laser ablation of tissue are described. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source emitting at two or more wavelengths coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. A fiber tip protection system limits damage to the fiberoptic laser delivery device, thereby allowing the multi-wavelength laser to be operated in a tissue contact mode. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP) using a technique of touch and pullback laser ablation of the prostate (TapLAP).

Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser apparatus and methods for laser ablation of tissue are described. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source emitting at two or more wavelengths coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. A fiber tip protection system limits damage to the fiberoptic laser delivery device, thereby allowing the multi-wavelength laser to be operated in a tissue contact mode. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP) using a technique of touch and pullback laser ablation of the prostate (TapLAP).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a family of fiber optic laser delivery devices for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered through and at various angles to the central axis of a fiber optic waveguide by an internally reflective surface. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. A novel method for coagulating and then vaporizing or otherwise removing the coagulated tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser diode operating system utilizes the photodiode mounted in the housing of the laser diode, and monitors the photodiode signal to check for a clear laser beam delivery path and a target proximate to the output of the beam path. Upon initial power-up of the system, a brief laser pulse is emitted, and laser light reflected retrograde in the delivery path is received by the photodiode. If the photodiode signal exceeds a first threshold level, due to occlusion of the delivery path, further operation of the system is prevented until the delivery path is cleared. During operator use, the photodiode signal is compared with a second threshold level, and operation is interrupted if the signal fails to exceed the second threshold level. During interruption of operation mode, the laser diode is pulsed briefly and reiteratively to ascertain if a target object is proximate to the laser diode output.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a laser cutting scalpel for use in medical and other applications, and more particularly, to such an apparatus wherein the transmitted radiation is delivered at an angle to the incident radiation source and tool. The invention is capable of coagulating, cutting or vaporizing tissue and may be useful in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical applications. The device has a firing tip which has an insert with a highly polished mirrored surface lying at a specific angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. Thus impinging laser radiation is reflected to the side and delivered at approximately a right angle to the fiber. The invention also features one or more cooling vents located in the firing tip itself resulting in a device less prone to failure during operation. The device can be positioned accurately with respect to depth of insertion of the fiber.

Abstract: A laser for medical includes an optically pumped laser medium, and the output of the laser is directed through an optical fiber delivery system to a tissue target. The flashlamp is driven by a pulsed power signal that is selectively variable to produce laser pulses of predetermined temporal width and pulse energy, and these values can be selected in accordance with the type of tissue being treated and the tissue effect desired. The laser may be operated to produce relatively brief pulses of high energy, which create a localized plasma at the surface of the target tissue. The plasma effect blocks any significant penetration of the laser beam into the tissue, and each laser pulse causes the ablation of a small portion of the tissue target. Thus thermal necrosis of adjacent and underlying tissue minimized.

Abstract: A proximity sensor apparatus for use with a laser diode device utilizes the photodiode mounted in the housing of the laser diode, and includes an electronic circuit coupled to the photodiode to monitor the output of the photodiode. When an object is closely adjacent to the output window of the laser diode, reflected light from the laser diode is transmitted retrograde through the output window and is received by the photodiode within the housing. The circuit of the invention establishes a threshold level for the photodiode current, determines the proximity of the reflecting object and permits (or prevents) operation of the laser diode. The circuit also includes a sampling timer to operate the laser diode for a very brief period (on the order of microseconds) each second, to ascertain if a target object is proximate to the laser diode output. The circuit is set to prevent laser operation, and operates the laser diode to emit a brief test pulse and determine the level of reflected laser light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used in combination with an existing laser for controlling the temperature of a laser powered tool includes a temperature control device coupled between the output of the laser and the optical fiber delivery system to monitor the temperature of the optical fiber delivery system and attenuate the laser output power to achieve a desired temperature level. The device establishes a beam path and provides a beam deflector that is variably positioned in the beam path to deflect a variable portion of the laser beam toward a laser wavelength-absorbing heat sink. An infrared detector is directed to receive emissions from the laser tool, and electronic circuitry processes the signal from the infrared detector to determine the temperature in the delivery system and generate an actuator signal to position the beam deflector so that beam deflection is increased or decreased to achieve a predetermined, desirable temperature level in the delivery system.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a pumped rod-type laser includes an arc lamp disposed to illuminate the lasing medium, such as a NdYAG crystalline rod. The apparatus includes a full wave rectifier to power the arc lamp, and a MOSFET switching circuit to turn on and off the arc lamp power at controlled times during each half cycle of the power waveform so that the laser medium is pumped and optically discharged once during each half cycle of the power supply. The laser power output is measured by a photodetector during each half cycle, and the photodetector output is integrated and compared with a manually set, variable laser output power level. When the actual laser power reaches the preset power level, the comparator initiates turning off the MOSFET switching circuit power for that respective half cycle of the power waveform.

Abstract: A method for carrying out surgical procedures using a laser and a laser surgical tool includes the provision of a temperature control device associated with the laser which monitors the temperature of the surgical tool and delivery system and governs the laser power output to achieve a desired temperature level. The temperature control device may be used either to prevent heating of the surgical tool and delivery system beyond it structural tolerance, or to maintain a predetermined temperature level which is optimized for a particular surgical or medical procedure. The delivery system may comprise an optical fiber, and the surgical tool may comprise the output end of the optical fiber which is free of any additional surgical cutting implement.