U.S. patent application number 15/964330 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-30 for side-firing fiber delivery device with active cooling cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald M. Mitchell, Yihlih Peng.
Application Number | 20180243032 15/964330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40363548 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180243032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peng; Yihlih ; et
al. |
August 30, 2018 |
SIDE-FIRING FIBER DELIVERY DEVICE WITH ACTIVE COOLING CAP
Abstract
A medical laser system and related methods of utilizing cooling
within and around an optical fiber tip to prevent premature failure
of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is surrounded by protective
jacket assembly including a body tube assembly and a tip cap
assembly. The body tube assembly includes an internal fiber jacket
and an external body tube with a body tube channel defined
therebetween. The tip cap assembly includes an inner cap member and
an outer cap member defining a cap irrigation channel therebetween.
Together, the cap irrigation channel and body tube channel
cooperatively define an internal irrigation channel. The optical
fiber can be delivered to a treatment location through a
cystoscope. Saline is directed through an external irrigation
channel between the cystoscope and the protective jacket assembly
as well as the internal irrigation channel to cool the fiber tip
and prevent overheating and failure of the optical fiber.
Inventors: |
Peng; Yihlih; (Fremont,
CA) ; Mitchell; Gerald M.; (Los Altos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. |
Maple Grove |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Boston Scientific Scimed,
Inc.
Maple Grove
MN
|
Family ID: |
40363548 |
Appl. No.: |
15/964330 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15253313 |
Aug 31, 2016 |
9980776 |
|
|
15964330 |
|
|
|
|
14471945 |
Aug 28, 2014 |
9456871 |
|
|
15253313 |
|
|
|
|
12185592 |
Aug 4, 2008 |
8858542 |
|
|
14471945 |
|
|
|
|
60953721 |
Aug 3, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/206 20130101;
A61B 18/22 20130101; G02B 6/4415 20130101; A61B 18/24 20130101;
G02B 6/262 20130101; A61B 2018/2244 20130101; A61B 2018/2205
20130101; A61B 2018/00029 20130101; A61B 2018/00023 20130101; G02B
6/241 20130101; G02B 6/443 20130101; A61B 2018/2272 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/24 20060101
A61B018/24; G02B 6/24 20060101 G02B006/24; G02B 6/26 20060101
G02B006/26; G02B 6/44 20060101 G02B006/44; A61B 18/22 20060101
A61B018/22 |
Claims
1. An optical fiber for medical procedures comprising: an internal
fiber terminating at a fiber tip, the internal fiber being
surrounded by a body tube assembly at a proximal portion of the
internal fiber and by a tip cap assembly at the fiber tip, the tip
cap assembly and body tube defining an internal irrigation channel
for cooling the fiber tip during a medical laser procedure.
2. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the tip cap assembly
comprises an inner cap member and an outer cap member, a cap
irrigation channel being defined between the inner cap member and
the outer cap member.
3. The optical fiber of claim 2, wherein the body tube assembly
comprises an internal fiber jacket and an external body tube, a
body tube channel being defined between the internal body tube and
the external body tube, and wherein the cap irrigation channel and
the body tube channel cooperatively define the internal irrigation
channel.
4. The optical fiber of claim 2, wherein the outer cap member
includes an exterior surface having a side-firing port for
directing laser energy from the fiber tip to a treatment
location.
5. The optical fiber of claim 4, wherein the outer cap member
provides a physical barrier preventing contact between the fiber
tip and the treatment location during a treatment procedure.
6. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the body tube assembly and
tip cap assembly are adapted for introduction through a cystoscope,
whereupon an internal saline flow can be directed through the
internal irrigation channel and an external saline flow can be
directed between the cystoscope and the body tube assembly and tip
cap assembly to simultaneously cool the fiber tip.
7. A method for preventing overheating a medical optical fiber
during a medical treatment procedure comprising: providing an
optical fiber having an internal fiber jacket surrounding by a
protective jacket assembly, wherein an internal irrigation channel
is defined between the internal fiber jacket and the protective
jacket assembly; directing an internal saline flow stream through
the internal irrigation channel; and removing heat energy generated
at a fiber tip during treatment with the internal saline flow
stream.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: accessing an internal
treatment site with a cystoscope; and advancing the optical fiber
through the cystoscope such that the fiber tip is proximate the
internal treatment site.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: directing an external
saline flow stream through a gap defined between the cystoscope and
the protective jacket assembly.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the protective jacket assembly
comprise a tip cap assembly proximate the fiber tip, the tip cap
assembly including an inner cap member and an outer cap member,
wherein the internal irrigation channel is defined between the
inner cap member and the outer cap member.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: directing laser
energy from the fiber tip through a side-firing port in the outer
cap member.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: preventing adhesion
of ablated tissue to the fiber tip by maintaining a physical gap
between the fiber tip and a treatment site.
13. A medical laser system comprising: a laser unit for generating
laser treatment energy; and an optical fiber attached to the laser
unit for directing the laser treatment energy to a treatment
location, the optical fiber including an internal fiber jacket
surrounding by a protective jacket assembly such that an internal
irrigation channel is defined between the internal fiber jacket and
the protective jacket assembly such that an internal saline flow
can be directed through the internal irrigation channel to cool a
fiber tip on the optical fiber.
14. The medical laser system of claim 13, further comprising: a
cystoscope for accessing a treatment site within the patients body,
the optical fiber adapted for insertion through the cystoscope such
that an external saline flow can be directed between the cystoscope
and the protective jacket assembly.
15. The medical laser system of claim 13, wherein the external
fiber jacket comprises a body tube assembly at a proximal portion
of the internal fiber jacket and a tip cap assembly at the fiber
tip.
16. The medical laser system of claim 15, wherein the tip cap
assembly comprises an outer cap member and an inner cap member, the
outer cap member including an exterior surface having a side-firing
port for directing laser energy from the fiber tip to the treatment
location.
17. The medical laser system of claim 16, wherein the outer cap
member provides a physical barrier preventing contact between the
fiber tip and the treatment location during a treatment procedure.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/953,721 filed Aug. 3, 2007, and entitled
"Side-Firing Fiber Delivery Device with Active Cooling Cap", which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of medical lasers
utilizing optical fibers. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a side-firing optical fiber utilizing internal and
external cooling streams to prevent premature failure at a fiber
tip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Medical lasers have been used in treatment procedures
involving various practice areas, including, for example, urology,
neurology, otorhinolaryngology, general anesthetic ophthalmology,
dentistry, gastroenterology, cardiology, gynecology, and thoracic
and orthopedic procedures. Generally, these procedures require
precisely controlled delivery of laser energy, and often the area
to which the laser energy is to be delivered is located deep within
the body; for example, at the prostate or at the fallopian tubes.
Due to the location of the target tissue deep within the body, the
medical procedure requires that the optical fiber be flexible and
maneuverable. Various light sources can be used with optical fiber
devices dependent upon the requirements for the light source; for
example, pulsed lasers, diode lasers and neodymium lasers can be
used as light sources. Representative lasers used in medical
treatment procedures include Ho:YAG lasers and Nd:YAG lasers.
[0004] In medical procedures utilizing laser energy, the laser is
coupled to an optical fiber adapted to direct laser radiation from
the laser, through the fiber and to the treatment area. Typically,
a surgical probe is utilized in the treatment of body tissue with
laser energy. The surgical probe generally includes an optical
fiber coupled to a laser source, and the probe tip is positioned on
the optical fiber opposite the laser source, such that the tip of
the probe can be positioned adjacent to the targeted tissue. Laser
energy is directed out of the probe tip of the optical fiber onto
desired portions of the targeted tissue.
[0005] Depending upon the operational conditions during laser
treatment, a cap on the surgical probe can overheat. Overheating of
the cap can lead to failure of the optical fiber. If the optical
fiber fails, the laser system fails. Overheating of the cap can
cause the cap to burn, detach, or even shatter during treatment
inside the patient, which can lead to injury to the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention comprises a medical laser system and
related methods of utilizing cooling within and around an optical
fiber tip so as to prevent premature failure of the optical fiber.
The optical fiber comprises an internal fiber jacket having a fiber
tip for directing laser energy from the optical fiber. The optical
fiber is generally surrounded by a body tube and a tip cap
assembly. The tip cap assembly generally comprises an inner cap
member and an outer cap member. The outer cap member includes a
side port positioned within an exterior surface. An internal
irrigating channel is defined between the inner cap member and the
outer cap member. The optical fiber is generally configured for
insertion through a cystoscope such that the fiber tip can be
positioned proximate a treatment location. Once the fiber tip is
properly positioned, saline can be directed through the irrigating
channel as well as between the cystoscope and the exterior surface
to cool the optical fiber and prevent overheating and subsequent
failure of the optical fiber. In addition, the use of the outer cap
member provides a barrier between the fiber tip and treatment
location so as to prevent adhesion of ablated tissue to the fiber
tip.
[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an
optical fiber having a tip cap assembly defining an internal
irrigation channel. The optical fiber can be configured for
insertion into a cystoscope wherein saline can be simultaneously
directed through the internal irrigation channel and between the
cystocope and an exterior surface of the tip cap assembly. By
continually circulating saline both internally and externally of
the fiber tip, overheating of the fiber tip is prevented so as to
prevent premature failure of the optical fiber.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method for preventing overheating of an optical fiber. The method
comprises providing an optical fiber having an internal irrigation
channel at a fiber tip. The method further comprises circulating
saline through the internal irrigation channel to remove heat
energy from the fiber tip. The method further comprises circulating
a cooling saline between a cystoscope and an exterior surface of
the fiber tip. The method can further comprise providing a physical
barrier between a discharge portion of the optical fiber and the
treatment location to prevent adhesion of ablated tissue to the
optical fiber.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to
a medical laser treatment system comprising a laser unit and an
optical fiber capable of being introduced to a treatment location
with a cystoscope. A fiber tip of the optical fiber is capable of
being cooled simultaneously with an external cooling stream between
the cystoscope and protective jacket assembly as well as through an
internal irrigation channel defined by a tip cap assembly.
[0010] The above summary of the various representative embodiments
of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated
embodiment or every implementation of the invention. Rather, the
embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the
art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of
the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follows
more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These as well as other objects and advantages of this
invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by
referring to the following more detailed description of the
presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of a laser system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective end view of an optical fiber
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a section view of the optical fiber of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a section view of the optical fiber of FIG. 2
being introduced to a treatment location with a cystoscope
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a graph comparing percentage of transmission of a
optical fiber (2090 fiber) to an optical fiber with active cooling
cap of the present invention.
[0017] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention comprises an optical fiber for use
with a medical laser system that utilizes internal and external
cooling streams and related methods of monitoring an optical fibers
to determine if an optical fiber cap on the optical fiber is in
imminent danger of cap failure. The laser system includes a
photodetector for converting returned light from the optical fiber
cap to an electronic signal for comparison to a trigger threshold
value known to be indicative imminent fiber cap failure. The
returned light can be the main laser treatment wavelength, an
auxiliary wavelength such as an aiming beam or infrared wavelengths
generated by a temperature of the optical fiber cap. In the event
the electronic signal reaches the trigger threshold value, the
laser system can be temporarily shut-off or the power output can be
reduced. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention can be
utilized as part of a Greenlight HPS system manufactured by
American Medical Systems of Minnetonka, Minn. and as described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,554,824 and 6,986,764, which are herein
incorporated by reference.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted a block diagram
showing an exemplary laser system 100 which may be employed for
implementing the present invention. Laser system 100 includes a
solid-state laser unit 102, which is used to generate laser light
for delivery through optical fiber 106 to target tissue 104. Laser
unit 102 is capable of being operated in a pulsed mode or
continuous wave.
[0020] Laser unit 102 more specifically comprises a laser element
assembly 110, pump source 112, and frequency doubling crystal 122.
In the preferred-embodiment, laser element 110 outputs 1064 nm
light which is focused into frequency doubling crystal 122 to
create 532 nm light. According to one implementation, laser element
assembly 110 may be neodymium doped YAG (Nd:YAG) crystal, which
emits light having a wavelength of 1064 nm (infrared light) when
excited by pump source 112. Laser element 110 may alternatively be
fabricated from any suitable material wherein transition and
lanthanide metal ions are disposed within a crystalline host (such
as YAG, Lithium Yttrium Fluoride, Sapphire, Alexandrite, Spinel,
Yttrium Orthoaluminate, Potassium Gadolinium Tungstate, Yttrium
Orthovandate, or Lanthahum Scandium Borate). Laser element 110 is
positioned proximal to pump source 112 and may be arranged in
parallel relation therewith, although other geometries and
configurations may be employed.
[0021] Pump source 112 may be any device or apparatus operable to
excite laser element assembly 110. Non-limiting examples of devices
which may be used as pump source 112, include: arc lamps,
flashlamps, and laser diodes.
[0022] A Q-switch 114 disposed within laser unit 102 may be
operated in a repetitive mode to cause a train of micropulses to be
generated by laser unit 102. Typically the micropulses are less
than 1 microsecond in duration separated by about 40 microseconds,
creating a quasi-continuous wave train. Q-switch 114 is preferably
of the acousto-optic type, but may alternatively comprise a
mechanical device such as a rotating prism or aperture, an
electro-optical device, or a saturable absorber.
[0023] Laser unit 102 is provided with a control system 116 for
controlling and operating laser unit 102. Control system 116 will
typically include a control processor which receives input from
user controls (including but not limited to a beam on/off control,
a beam power control, and a pulse duration control) and processes
the input to accordingly generate output signals for adjusting
characteristics of the output beam to match the user inputted
values or conditions. With respect to pulse duration adjustment,
control system 116 applies an output signal to a power supply (not
shown) driving pump source 112 which modulates the energy supplied
thereto, in turn controlling the pulse duration of the output beam.
Laser unit 102 further includes an output port 118 couplable to a
proximal end 119 of optical fiber 106. Output port 118 directs the
light generated by laser unit 102 into optical fiber 106 for
delivery to tissue 104.
[0024] Although FIG. 1 shows an internal frequency doubled laser,
it is only by way of example. The infrared light can be internally
or externally frequency doubled using non-linear crystals such as
KTP, Lithium Triborate (LBO), or Beta Barium Borate (BBO) to
produce 532 nm light. The frequency doubled, shorter wavelength
light is better absorbed by the hemoglobin and char tissue, and
promotes more efficient tissue ablation.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, optical fiber 200 of the
present invention generally comprises an internal fiber 202
defining a fiber tip 204 at a treatment end 206 of the optical
fiber 200. Internal fiber 202 is manufactured from a silicon
material, typical of optical fibers. Internal fiber 202 is
protected from damage prior to use and during introduction to the
treatment location with a protective jacket assembly 206.
Projective jacket assembly 206 generally comprises a body tube
assembly 208 and a tip cap assembly 210. Body tube assembly 208
generally protects a majority portion of the internal fiber 202,
extending from proximal end 119 to the tip cap assembly 210. Body
tube assembly 208 generally comprise an internal fiber jacket 212
and an external body tube 214 with a body tube channel 216 defined
therebetween. Similar to internal fiber 202, internal fiber jacket
212 and external body tube 214 are constructed of a suitable
silicon material.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 3, tip cap assembly 128 generally
comprises an inner cap member 218 and an outer cap member 220
defining a cap irrigation channel 222 therebetween. Together, cap
irrigation channel 222 and body tube channel 216 cooperatively
define an internal irrigation channel 224. Outer cap member 220
includes a side port 226 positioned within an exterior surface 228.
Side port 226 generally defines a radiused edge 230 such that laser
energy can be directed from the fiber tip 204 to the treatment
location.
[0027] In operation, optical fiber 200 and more specifically fiber
tip 204 can be introduced to the treatment location utilizing a
conventional cystoscope 240 as shown in FIG. 4. Generally, the
cystoscope 240 is advanced through the urethra and proximate the
treatment area. Once the cystoscope 240 is positioned at the
treatment area, an irrigant such as water or saline can be injected
through the cystoscope 240. When performing a medical laser
procedure with the laser system 100, optical fiber 200 is advanced
through the cystoscope 240 such that side port 226 is positioned
proximate the desired treatment location.
[0028] With the side port 226 oriented toward the treatment
location, saline is simultaneously directed through the internal
irrigation channel 224 and in an external irrigation channel 242
defined between the cystoscope 240 and the protective jacket
assembly 206. With an external cooling stream 244 flowing across
exterior surface 228 and between the inner cap member 218 and an
internal cooling stream 246 flowing between the outer cap member
220, control system 116 directs laser energy through the optical
fiber 200 such that a treatment beam exits the fiber tip 204 and
out the side port 226. As the treatment beam contacts the treatment
location, heat is generated at a tissue surface as the laser energy
ablates the targeted tissue. The dual simultaneous cooling of the
external cooling stream 244 and the internal cooling stream 246
remove heat energy from the fiber tip 204. As fiber tip 204 is
prevented from overheating, ablated tissue is kept from adhering
within or around the side port 226 or to the exterior surface 228.
In addition, the outer cap member 220 provides a gap between the
fiber tip 204 and the treatment location such that tissue does not
attach to the fiber tip 204 due to localized heating at the fiber
tip 204. With heat energy removed at the tip cap assembly 210,
overheating is avoided such that devitrification and cratering of
optical fiber 200 does not occur.
[0029] FIG. 5 provides a comparison between the standard 2090 fiber
that is typically used with a GreenLight HPS laser treatment device
for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and the fiber
with active cooling cap of the present invention. As shown the
percentage of transmission of light stays steady in the fiber with
the active cooling cap while the 2090 fiber experiences
intermittent decreases in transmission of light as energy is
increased. As indicated by the graph, the active cooling cap fiber
of the present invention provides reduced laser energy absorption
by preventing the tissue contact at the laser firing point and the
areas adjacent to the firing point; the tissue is in contact with
the outer cap rather than the inner cap through which the laser
light is being delivered. Further, the irrigation fluid from the
about the inner cap pushes the tissue debris out of the firing
point of the inner cap and, hence, further prevents tissue debris
from depositing and burning at the firing point. Moreover, the
active cooling cap of the present invention can provide cooling
from inside of the cap even when the irrigation fluid from the
cystoscope is totally block by tissue.
[0030] Although specific examples have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same
purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This
application is intended to cove adaptations or variations of the
present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal
equivalents.
* * * * *