LASER DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL FIBERS HAVING FLUID DELIVERY CHANNELS

摘要

The present invention provides a medical laser delivery system that incorporates fluid delivery channels within the optical fiber structure so a s to bring fluids directly to the site of laser power delivery. The channel (2 0) or channels may pass through either the fiber core (22) or the cladding (24) . The fluids delivered to the side may serve to cool or irrigate the tissue during a high power laser treatment. In addition, the fluid passed through t he channel (20) can be a drug or any substance that increases the tissue's photosensitivity to the laser energy. The need for an external fluid deliver y device is eliminated. Treatment and irrigation of the treatment site can be administered through a single fiber thereby limiting the entry puncture to t he gauge of the fiber. The solid core fiber coupled with direct irrigation allo ws effective high-power density laser treatment.