Method and apparatus for protecting capillary of laser fiber during insertion and reducing metal cap degradation

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an optical fiber having a core, a proximal end portion of the optical fiber configured to be coupled to a laser source, a distal end of the core having a surface angled relative to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the core; a capillary, the distal end of the core being disposed within the capillary; and an outer member extending coaxially around at least a portion of the capillary, the outer member having a distalmost end including an opening, wherein the opening is distal to the surface at the distal end of the core; and wherein the outer member is extendable relative to the capillary to cover a distal end portion of the capillary, and retractable relative to the capillary to expose the distal end portion of the capillary.