Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for the efficacious thermal treatment of lumen such as varicose veins during laser surgery is provided. An energy delivery device comprising a diffusing optical fiber with a light-emitting section and a memory device having data programmed therein is also provided. The optical fiber includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a treatment site. An energy generator is connected to the optical fiber and to a positioning device. The optical fiber engages positioning device so that the positioning device can moveably position the light-emitting section of the optical fiber. Consequently, the optical fiber can be inserted directly into an appropriate position within a varicose portion of a vein or other lumen for thermal treatment of the vein.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for the efficacious thermal treatment of lumen such as varicose veins during laser surgery is provided. The method includes inserting an optical fiber into a lumen at a treatment site which has at least two treatment segments. The light-emitting section of the optical fiber is aligned with a first treatment segment within the treatment site. Energy is emitted into the lumen at the first treatment segment and a temperature of the lumen is measured at the first treatment segment. The energy delivered to the treatment segment can be adjusted in response to the temperature measurement. The light-emitting section is moved to at least a second treatment segment within the lumen and energy is emitted into the lumen at the second treatment segment. During treatment at the second treatment segment, the temperature of the lumen is measured at the second treatment segment.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making such optical fiber, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a diffuser portion positionable at a treatment site.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making same, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site. The optical fiber includes: a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate the distal end of the optical fiber; a layer of cladding radially surrounding the core from the core proximal portion to a point adjacent the core distal portion; a sleeve radially surrounding the cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, a tip diffuser radially surrounding the core distal portion including light-scattering material molded with substantially the same type of material utilized for the sleeve, wherein the light-scattering material fluoresces in a temperature dependent manner upon being stimulated by light.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making same, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site. The optical fiber includes: a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate the distal end of the optical fiber, a layer of cladding radially surrounding the core from the core proximal portion to a designated point adjacent the core distal portion; a sleeve radially surrounding the cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, a tip diffuser positioned at the distal end of the optical fiber.