The present disclosure is related to field of Fiber Feedback (FFB) technology and provides a method and system for estimating the distance between a fiber end and a target. The method includes illuminating, by a Light Emitting, Transmitting and Detecting (LETD) system, the target with laser light of different wavelengths having low and high-water absorption coefficients, using different laser light sources, as well as receiving a returned signal corresponding to the incident laser light of different wavelengths, and detecting the returned signal to measure intensity values of the returned signal of a specific wavelength. Using the measured intensity values, a processing unit may estimate distance between the fiber end and the target. The present disclosure enables accurate estimation of distance between a fiber end and the target. The present disclosure also provides a robust distance estimation technique which is compatible with different types of targets.

An apparatus and a system for performing thermotherapy on at least a portion of a tissue site is described. The apparatus and system comprise a heating probe comprising an emitting area. The heating probe is connectable to an energy source for heating the tissue by the emitting area. The apparatus and system comprise a sleeve. The heating probe is arrangable in the sleeve, and the sleeve is configured to be slid along the heating probe in a distal and/or proximal direction for positioning of the emitting area in said portion of tissue for controlling the thermotherapy.

A light source for emitting light, a light conduit in electromagnetic communication with the light source for communicating light from the light source to the area of interest in three dimensions, and a controller combined to the light source for controlling the intensity of the light emitted to the area of interest.

The present invention is directed towards medical optical fibers with protective tips for use with endoscopes for laser based treatment of internal bodily organs and method of manufacture therefor. The medical optical fibers have a short stripped medical optical fiber section and a protective tip provided thereon to encapsulate both the stripped medical optical fiber section and the jacket tip immediately therebehind.

The present invention relates to Fiber Feedback (FFB) technology, and provides a method and system for estimating distance between a fiber end and a target. The method includes illuminating, by a Light Emitting, Transmitting and Detecting (LETD) system, the target with laser light of different wavelengths having low and high-water absorption coefficients, using different laser light sources, as well as receiving a returned signal corresponding to the incident laser light of different wavelengths, and detecting the returned signal to measure intensity values of the returned signal of a specific wavelength. Using the measured intensity values, a processing unit may estimate distance between the fiber end and the target. The present invention enables accurate estimation of distance between a fiber end and a target, and also provides a robust distance estimation technique which is compatible with different types of targets.

Articles of manufacture, including terminations of or attachments to optical fibers are configured to substantially prevent axial emission and redirect radially most if not all light emanating from optical fibers. In that, a termination may include a fiber cap of a unitary construction of a tube and an optical element disposed to face a sealed end of the tube and dividing a hollow of the tube and having a conical surface, or an optical element dividing the hollow and complemented by a cone. An example of termination includes an optical fiber element having an up-tapered end with a maximum taper-diameter exceeding the core-diameter and ending at a conical element with an apex angle from about 70° to about 100°. Articles of manufacture additionally including mounting contraptions cooperating such terminations with cannulae to form an attachment to a laser system. Methods for transmitting light through such articles of manufacture.

The present invention is directed towards medical optical fibers with protective tips for use with endoscopes for laser based treatment of internal bodily organs and method of manufacture therefor. The medical optical fibers have a short stripped medical optical fiber section and a protective tip provided thereon to encapsulate both the stripped medical optical fiber section and the jacket tip immediately therebehind.

A catheter device provides a balloon structure and a side-firing laser lumen within the balloon to create lesions in the pulmonary vein (PV) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Mounted on the balloon so as to contact the PV when the balloon is inflated are one or more electrodes which may be used in a measurement mode, a treatment mode, or both.

The coated optical fiber (10) includes: an optical fiber (11) including a core (111) and a cladding (112); a first buffer layer (121) covering the optical fiber (11), and having a refractive index lower than that of the cladding (112) and a Shore D hardness of D/20.0/1 or higher; a second buffer layer (122) covering the first buffer layer (121), and having a higher Shore D hardness than the first buffer layer (121); and a jacket (13) covering the second buffer layer (122).

The present invention provides devices and methods of manufacture related to transmitting light to a target site for diffusion Techniques are provided which allow accurate control of the illumination profile with a diffuser tip design which is easily producible, relatively inexpensive, and provides variations to obtain desired illumination profiles. This is achieved by using at least two light scattering mediums having a shape defined by an insert. The dimensions, light scattering properties, and number of such light scattering mediums may be selected individually or collectively to selectively control the illumination profile. In addition, the insert allows for other beneficial design features, such as a reduced heat retention, easily controlled and refined light scattering medium interfaces, and a smaller cross-sectional diameter than is typically achievable with other techniques. The resulting light transmission and diffusion apparatus is operable with a high efficiency, highly predictable illumination profile, and ease of use.