A protective structure for the distal treatment end of a surgical laser fiber inserted into a patient through a scope includes uniformly-spaced ruler or scale markings that are visible through the scope and that enable the size of an object within the field of view of the scope to be precisely determined.

A treatment device is disclosed for treatment of a living body lumen. The treatment device can include an optical fiber having an emitting part that emits laser light from a side circumferential surface. Two or more grooves are provided in the emitting part at places different in a longitudinal direction of the emitting part. The two or more grooves have two or more kinds of shapes and intensities of the laser light emitted from the grooves adjacent to each other are different. A maximum region of intensity of the laser light emitted from the emitting part is located on one end side relative to a center position in the longitudinal direction of the emitting part. The intensity of the laser light emitted from the emitting part on the other end side of the emitting part relative to a position of the maximum region decreases toward the other end side.

Methods, systems and devices for treating a patient include providing a tissue treatment element constructed and arranged to deliver energy to tissue and treating tissue of the gastrointestinal tract by causing the tissue treatment element to deliver energy to an energy delivery zone. Treatment results in a reduction in the luminal surface area of at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular embodiments, the methods, systems and devices are used to treat diabetes.

A multiple-fiber scanning ophthalmic transscleral laser probe system capable of firing multiple laser spots sequentially on the perilimbal area through the use of multiple fibers and an optical switching mechanism is disclosed. The design aims to reduce probe motion on the surface of the eye during transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and pulsed transscleral laser therapy by allowing multiple laser shots to be fired sequentially in a partial circular pattern without any probe movement and without the use of moving parts inside the probe. Sequential firing from a fixed probe location allows precise power level for each treatment spot and prevents the probe tip getting caught on or damaging the conjunctiva.

Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

An imaging component comprises shaft and a cavity extending across the shaft from its proximal end towards its distal end. The cavity removably receives at least one of a plurality of different instruments. A wall of the cavity comprises an elongated opening in communication with an exterior of the shaft at least partially along the shaft. An imaging transducer is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The imaging component is advanced to a target site either alone or with a first instrument coupled thereto. A therapeutic or diagnostic procedure is performed with the first instrument. The first instrument is then retracted and removed from the imaging component while the imaging component stays at the target site. A second instrument is then coupled to the imaging component and advanced to the target site to perform a further therapeutic or diagnostic procedure.

A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject is presented. The hair cutting device comprises a laser light source, a light guiding element for guiding light from the light source to the cutting element. The cutting element comprises an optical waveguide for receiving light from the light guiding element. The light guiding element has a tapered section in which a diameter of the light guiding element reduces from a light source side diameter to a cutting element side diameter. A portion of a sidewall of the optical waveguide of the cutting element forms a cutting face for contacting hair.

Improved device and method for safe, accurate, efficient surgical procedures are disclosed. A preferred device is a waveguide assembly for delivering electromagnetic radiation to a tissue comprising a waveguide with a multi-facetted tip and a cap over the 5 multi-facetted tip. Preferably the waveguide is an optical fiber. The cap is a protective, reinforced cap fused to the optical fiber's tip as an integral part of it and comprises an axially-extending portion oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the elongated axis of the optical fiber. A method of manufacturing special waveguide caps is provided. The optical fiber assembly delivers high power electromagnetic radiation in lateral direction 10 with respect to the elongated axis of the optical fiber, determined by the multiple-facetted tip, the slant angles of the optical fiber's core, and the orientation of the cap's axially-extending portion. A method for removing unwanted tissue like in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatments is also provided.

Embodiments of the invention include a method of initiating an optical fiber. In some embodiments, a distal portion of the optical fiber is coated with an energy absorbing material. In some embodiments, the material includes a metal flakes or powder dispersed in a solution of organic solvents. After the material dries, laser energy is fired through the optical fiber. The laser energy can be absorbed in the material and ignites the organic solvents. This combustion melts the material of the optical fiber, and impregnates the optical fiber with the metal flakes or powder of the material. The resulting optical fiber is thus permanently modified so that the energy applied through the fiber is partially absorbed and converted to heat.

Apparatus for the treatment of a target tissue with a laser beam in which the target tissue is immersed in a liquid medium within a body lumen. The laser device is configured to provide one or more laser pulses which are configured by a controller to have an energy sufficient to form one or more vapor bubbles in the liquid medium at the distal delivery end of the fiber. The one or more pulses are configured by the controller to: first, cause a vapor bubble to be formed distally of the distal end portion of the endoscope and around the distal delivery end of the optical fiber; second, cause a second bubble to be formed distally of the first bubble; and, third, inflate the second bubble as the first bubble has begun to collapse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the distal delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue.