Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.

Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.

An illumination system is provided that includes a laser light source and an optical waveguide connected to and/or associated with the laser light source at a proximal end thereof. The illumination system includes a diffuser element at the distal end of the optical waveguide with a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the coupling surface of the optical waveguide into the diffuser element. The diffuser element emits light over its active length laterally of the longitudinal axis and has at a base body with a scattering element. The scattering element is aligned along the longitudinal axis substantially parallel or at an angle thereto. An emission intensity homogenizer along the longitudinal axis is provided. The illumination system exhibits an intensity distribution of lateral emission deviating by at most 50% from an average lateral emission intensity.

An insertable catheter device includes a shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, an expandable balloon, and an actuator configured to expand and retract the expandable balloon. The actuator includes a fluid conduit that extends through the shaft and is coupled with the expandable balloon to enable inflation and retraction of the expandable balloon via injection or withdrawal of a fluid to or from the expandable balloon via the fluid conduit. The expandable balloon is displaceably retractable into the shaft and extendable from the shaft. A fluid pump is coupled with the fluid conduit to pump the fluid through the fluid conduit. A patch is positioned to be displaced by the expandable balloon when the expandable balloon is inflated, and the expandable balloon is displaceably retractable into the shaft and displaceably extendable from the shaft.

An intracranial treatment apparatus comprises an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the brain. The outer shaft defines a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft. An inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end is adapted to be operatively connected to the light source. The light-delivery element is configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the shaft to adjacent the distal end of the shaft. The light-delivery element is adapted to deliver light from the light source through the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft.

An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece, a light guide within the handpiece, and a multi-spot generator at a distal end of the handpiece. The handpiece is configured to optically couple to a light source. The light guide is configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece. The multi-spot generator includes a faceted optical element with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide. The faceted end surface includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam.

Various methods, systems, and devices for treating tissue ablation are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein pertain to methods of treating tumors, systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation, components and devices of that system, and kits for providing systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the system provides sub-ablative infrared radiation that is absorbed by nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles absorb the radiation converting it into heat energy. In some embodiments, though the infrared radiation itself may be sub-ablative, the heat energy generated by the nanoparticles is sufficient to cause thermal coagulation, hyperthermia, and/or tissue ablation.

The present invention relates to an optical waveguide, comprising an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered, and to a method for producing an optical waveguide according to the invention.

A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another. The thermal expansion material can include polydimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, polyisobutylene, polyisobutylene polyurethane, polyurethanes, styrene isoprene butadiene, ethylene propylene polyacrylic, ethylene acrylic, fluorosilicone, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and/or thermoplastic elastomers. The light-absorbing material can include nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, candle soot, candle soot nanoparticles, carbon black, a nanotube array, multiwall carbon nanotubes, and/or light absorbing dye. The first light guide can be an optical fiber and the light source can be a laser.

A method of delivering light energy to target matter in a mammalian body is described. The method may include inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a patient's vasculature, wherein the catheter comprises an open distal tip, a lumen extending proximally from the open distal tip, and at least one optical fiber within the lumen, wherein the at least one optical fiber has a distal end. The method may include flowing a liquid light guide medium through the open-ended catheter tip, wherein the liquid light guide medium flows beyond the distal end of the at least one optical fiber, wherein the liquid light guide medium comprises a magnesium chloride solution having an ion concentration that is isotonic with blood and tissue. The method may include forming a fluid optical channel with the liquid light guide medium between the catheter and the target matter. Other methods are described.