LASER SURGICAL PROBE

摘要

A laser surgical apparatus is provided in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe (10) includes a reflecting surface (68, 268) directing the laser energy. The reflecting surface is transparent to visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting surface is on a rod (78, 262) cut at an angle (79, 262) to form a wedge, and a collimator (273) is used to collimate the light beam before it reaches the reflecting surface. Uses for the probes of the present invention are also provided in which the probes are used for laser surgical procedures, especially in the eye. In particularly preferred uses, the tissue contacted by laser light can be viewed during use of the probe by looking through the reflecting surface. An especially preferred use comprises an anterior capsulotomy. Procedures using a laser surgical probe are also provided disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. In a preferred procedure, the laser probe is inserted into an internal portion of a mammal with a laser light beam being directed into the probe along a longitudinal axis. A reflecting surface on the probe reflects the laser light beam so that the beam exits the probe at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, thereby directing the laser light onto tissue of the mammal. The tissue contacted by laser light can be viewed during the procedure by looking through the reflecting surface. A particularly preferred procedure comprises an anterior capsulotomy.