摘要 |
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a medical laser delivery system that incorporates fluid delivery channels within the optical fiber structure so as to bring fluids directly to the site of laser power delivery. The channel or channels may pass through either the fiber core or the cladding. The fluids delivered to the site may serve to cool or irrigate the tissue during high power laser treatment. In addition, the fluid passed through the channel can be a drug or any substance that increases the tissue's photosensitivity to the laser energy. The need for an external fluid delivery device is eliminated. Treatment with the system is minimally invasive. Treatment and irrigation of the treatment site can be administered through a single fiber thereby limiting the entry puncture to the gauge of the fiber. The solid core fiber coupled with direct irrigation allows effective high-power density laser treatment. High-powered laser treatment is efficient and therefore provides for a shorter surgery time. The invention allows for a maximal delivery of fluids for irrigation, cooling, and/or photosensitizing to a site, with a minimal amount of invasiveness and an efficient high-power laser treatment.
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