METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ABLATING TISSUE

摘要

A tissue drill for reduced-trauma tissue ablation includes an optical fiber and a handpiece. The optical fiber has an inlet for receiving laser energy from a laser energy source and an outlet for emitting laser energy. The handpiece is adapted to receive the optical fiber in a controlled and movable relationship. In use, a distal end of the handpiece is placed against tissue to be ablated. The optical fiber is advanced beyond the distal end of the handpiece and into the tissue while emitting laser energy. The emitted laser energy ablates the tissue as the optical fiber advances. The optical fiber may then be retracted from the tissue, thereby resulting in a channel formed in the tissue. The optical fiber may also rotate while advancing into the tissue. In this regard, the outlet may be offset from a rotational axis of the optical fiber to reduce the level of laser energy transferred to surrounding tissue, thereby reducing trauma to the tissue. The tissue drill is particularly suited for performing transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and similar procedures.