Fiber optic laser surgical instrument having a radial dispersion pattern

Abstract

A fiber optic probe that eliminates extreme tip temperatures by radiating laser energy in a radial, 360° pattern from the surface of an exposed fiber optic tip is disclosed. In an embodiment, a fiber optic core is configured to operatively engage with a source of laser energy at a proximal end of the fiber optic tip, and, at a distal end of the fiber optic tip, includes a plurality of refracting surfaces configured to disperse laser energy in a radial pattern. In one embodiment, the refracting surfaces may be arranged as a plurality of annular prisms defined around the fiber core. In another embodiment, the refracting surfaces may be arranged as a plurality of concave lenses defined in the fiber optic tip. The temperature distribution of the disclosed probes is controlled and uniform, and may be tailored to radiate laser energy in any desired pattern which may be suitable to achieve an intended objective.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An instrument for laser surgery, comprising:
 a cladding having a first refractive index;   a fiber optic core coaxially disposed within the cladding and having a second refractive index that is higher than the first refractive index, the fiber optic core configured to operatively engage with a source of laser energy at a proximal end; and   a fiber optic tip forming a distal portion of the fiber optic core and configured to extend outwardly from the cladding, the fiber optic tip being exposed to air,   wherein the fiber optic tip includes a plurality of concave lenses on an outer surface of the distal portion of the fiber optic core, each concave lens having a refracting surface configured to disperse the laser energy.   
     
     
         22 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the concave lenses are uniformly sized and are arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         23 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the concave lenses are non-uniformly sized and are arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         24 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the concave lenses are non-uniformly sized and are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         25 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 21 , further comprising one or more concave lenses on a distal end of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         26 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising a semi-transparent coating applied on the distal end of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         27 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein a radiation pattern emitted from the distal end exhibits a radial pattern with a hemispherical distal region having an even temperature distribution pattern. 
     
     
         28 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the fiber optic tip is tapered. 
     
     
         29 . The instrument for laser surgery in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein a radiation pattern emitted from a distal end of the fiber optic core exhibits a radial pattern with a conical distal region having an even temperature distribution pattern. 
     
     
         30 . A laser surgery system comprising:
 a source of laser energy;   a controller operatively coupled to the source of laser energy; and   a laser surgical instrument comprising:
 a cladding having a first refractive index, 
 a fiber optic core coaxially disposed within the cladding and having a second refractive index that is higher than the first refractive index, the fiber optic core configured to operatively engage with the source of laser energy at a proximal end, and 
 a fiber optic tip forming a distal portion of the fiber optic core and configured to extend outwardly from the cladding, the fiber optic tip being exposed to air, 
 wherein the fiber optic tip includes a plurality of concave lenses on an outer surface of the distal portion of the fiber optic core, each concave lens having a refracting surface configured to disperse the laser energy. 
   
     
     
         31 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the concave lenses are uniformly sized and are arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         32 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the concave lenses are non-uniformly sized and arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         33 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the concave lenses are non-uniformly sized and are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         34 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 30 , further comprising one or more concave lenses on a distal end of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         35 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 34 , further comprising a semi-transparent coating applied on the distal end of the fiber optic core. 
     
     
         36 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein a radiation pattern emitted from the distal end exhibits a radial pattern with a hemispherical distal region having an even temperature distribution pattern. 
     
     
         37 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the fiber optic tip is tapered. 
     
     
         38 . The laser surgery system in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein a radiation pattern emitted from a distal end of the fiber optic core exhibits a radial pattern with a conical distal region having an even temperature distribution pattern.