Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to a catheter device including an optical fiber whose distal end is disposed within a hollow tube with a sharp or syringe shaped distal end, which may be inserted into tissue. The distal end of the optical fiber and the hollow tube are configured so as to emit, by refraction (total internal reflection) or reflection from a metal surface, laser energy at an angle of about 80.degree. to about 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and hollow tube. A first fluid channel within the distal end portion of the tube enables fluid to be infused to cool the distal end of the tube and to cool and clean the emission face of the optical fiber. A second, relatively larger diameter fluid channel in the tube enables the fluid, flowing through said first channel along with hot gasses from the vaporization of tissue, to exit the device through a second port in the tube, away from the tissue being treated. A vacuum can be applied to the second fluid channel to more effectively remove the infused, cooling fluid and hot gasses from the tissue being treated. Alternatively, the tube can incorporate a distal end portion which can be articulated to allow the insertion of the device into tissue perpendicular to the tissue's surface, from which laser energy can be emitted forwardly.

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First Claim