| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090069632 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A DEFLECTABLE DISTAL PORTION - A deflection assembly of a medical instrument (such as an endoscope or a flexible ureteroscope) allows an operator to deflect a distal portion of the instrument using one or more controls located at a proximal portion of the instrument. The instrument allows the operator to achieve multi-directional deflection of the distal portion. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090192495 | STRUCTURE FOR USE AS PART OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention generally relates to an articulating structure for use as at least part of a medical device. In one aspect, the invention features an articulating structure comprising an inner member, a sleeve, a pull wire, and an outer member. The inner member defines at least one channel on the outer surface of the inner member, the at least one channel extending along a length of the inner member. The inner member further defines at least one lumen extending through the inner member. The sleeve is disposed in the at least one channel. The pull wire extends within a lumen of the sleeve. The outer member is disposed over the inner member and defines a lumen through which the inner member extends. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090240109 | FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPE WITH CORE MEMBER - A digital imaging endoscope with an elongated shaft has a core member for imparting flexibility and column strength to the shaft. The shaft extends distally from a proximal handle, and at least part of the shaft, or the entire shaft, comprises an inner member, the core member, and an outer member. The inner member defines at least three lumens. A first lumen is for receiving an instrument, a second lumen is for receiving one or more wires for connecting a digital imaging device at a distal portion of the shaft to a display unit, and a third lumen is for receiving the core member. The core member can occupy the space within the shaft that was traditionally occupied by a fiber optic bundle in non-digital imaging endoscopes. The outer member is disposed over the inner member of the shaft, and the outer member defines a lumen through which the inner member extends. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090287197 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH INTERNAL BENT FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber disposed inside a lumen defined along a curved path within a capillary. The distal end surface of the optical fiber can be substantially flush with a portion of an outside surface of the capillary that defines a transmissive portion. The distal end portion of the optical fiber and the curved path can be collectively configured to direct laser energy through the transmissive portion in a lateral or side-fired direction that is offset from a longitudinal axis or centerline of the capillary. In some embodiments, more than one optical fiber can be disposed along the curved path. In other embodiments, more than one curved path can be defined within the capillary such that a distal end portion of an optical fiber can be disposed along each of the curved paths. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287198 | DIELECTRIC COATINGS FOR TOTAL-INTERNAL-REFLECTION SURFACE OF LASER FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber core having a multilayer dielectric coating. For side-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an angled surface at the core distal end to produce total internal reflection of laser energy at the angled surface. The coating can also be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and the angled surface can be collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral or side-fired direction. For end-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and a perpendicular surface at the core distal end can be collectively configured to direct laser energy in a direction substantially parallel to the distal end portion of the optical fiber. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287199 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH PROTECTIVE TIP AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. In some embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be disposed on an angled surface of the reflector. In other embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be positioned between a distal end surface of the reflector and an inner side of a distal end portion of the capillary. The coated reflector can be configured to increase laser energy redirected from a first portion of an optical path to a second portion of the optical path that is non-parallel to the first portion. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287200 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH GLASS FUSED REFLECTOR AND CAPILLARY AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090326525 | LASER FIBER CAPILLARY APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. An outer surface of the capillary defines a recessed transmissive portion of the capillary. The area of the recessed transmissive portion can be a four-sided area or an area with a rounded boundary, for example. An optical-fiber-core end portion disposed within the capillary can include an end surface configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral direction and through the recessed transmissive portion of the capillary. The lateral direction can be substantially normal to the recessed transmissive portion of the capillary and offset from a longitudinal axis of the distal end portion of the core. The end surface of the core can be non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be disposed on the end surface of the core. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100016845 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CAPILLARY OF LASER FIBER DURING INSERTION AND REDUCING METAL CAP DEGRADATION - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20110152619 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO AN OPTICAL FIBER MEMBER HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER - An apparatus may include a waveguide. The waveguide may include a distal end surface which may be substantially normal to a centerline of a distal end portion of the waveguide. The apparatus may further include a cover which may be coupled to a portion of the waveguide. The cover may include a portion distal to the distal end surface of the waveguide, and the portion of the cover may be made of a material which may be configured to be removed when exposed to electromagnetic radiation emitted from a portion of the distal end surface of the waveguide. | 06-23-2011 |
