Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A system for the delivery of high power excimer laser energy includes an optical fiber of pure silica having an energy coupler at one end and a lens at the distal end. The energy coupler can be a funnel-shaped input to the fiber or it can be a water-filled cavity which acts as a buffer to decrease the apparent density of energy entering the fiber. The lens at the distal end of the fiber functions to concentrate the output beam so as to increase its density. The delivery system has particular utility in the field of angioplasty. In such an application, the delivery system can be used to transmit both laser and illuminating light so as to reduce the number of optical fibers that are required and thereby provide a system that is sufficiently small to be fed into a coronary artery. An ultra-thin image scope facilitates a determination of the distance of the distal end from the viewed object and hence the size of the object.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim