Ablation and visualization systems and methods to access quality of contact between a catheter and tissue are provided. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring tissue ablation of the present disclosure comprises advancing a distal tip of an ablation catheter to a tissue in need of ablation; illuminating the tissue with UV light to excite NADH in the tissue, wherein the tissue is illuminated in a radial direction, an axial direction, or both; determining from a level of NADH fluorescence in the illuminated tissue when the distal tip of the catheter is in contact with the tissue; and delivering ablation energy to the tissue to form a lesion in the tissue.

Provided are a laser tip, a laser treatment tool, a laser treatment device and a laser treatment system safely performing a surgery for a laser treatment and, if bleeding occurs, stopping the bleeding. A laser tip 70 is attachable to a laser radiation opening 63a provided at a tip end of a laser transmission tube 63. From the laser radiation opening 63a, laser light 57a is directed. The laser tip 70 includes a laser transmission tube attaching portion 71 detachable from the laser radiation opening 63a; a contact portion 72 contactable with a biological tissue, the contact portion 72 being provided to the front of the laser transmission tube attaching portion 71 in a direction in which the laser light 57a is directed from the laser radiation opening 63a, with an open space S being provided between the contact portion 72 and the laser transmission tube attaching portion 71; a coupler 73 coupling a part of the contact portion 72 and a part of the laser transmission tube attaching portion 71 to each other; the contact portion 72 having a reflective surface 72b at a rear end thereof, the reflective surface 72b reflecting the laser light 57a, directed forward from the laser radiation opening 63a, toward the coupler 73.

An optical fiber tip attachment comprising: a body having an opening at a first end of the body, the opening configured to receive an optical fiber; and a cavity extending from the opening through at least a portion of the body, wherein the cavity is configured to orient a cross-sectional surface of the optical fiber, from which electromagnetic radiation is delivered, at an angle to an axis of the optical fiber tip attachment at the opening.

Apparatus and methods are described for laser ablation of tissue. The apparatus and methods utilize a laser source coupled to a fiberoptic laser delivery device and a laser driver and control system with features for protection of the laser delivery device, the patient, the operator and other components of the laser treatment system. Advantageously, the laser source may utilize laser diodes operating at approximately 975 nm, 1470 nm, 1535 nm or 1870 nm wavelengths with a laser power output of at least 60 watts, preferably greater than 80 watts and most preferably 120-150 watts or higher. The invention, which has broad medical and industrial applications, is described in relation to a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by contact laser ablation of the prostate (C-LAP).

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a device with an elongated body having a distal end. The distal end may comprise a port that permits discharge of a laser energy towards a tissue from an optical fiber located in the distal end. An exterior surface of the distal end may include a cauterization portion that permits discharge of a cauterization energy towards the tissue. In some aspects, the device includes an insulative portion that attaches the distal end to the elongated body and limits energy transfer therebetween. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A disposable sleeve is fitted over a surgical optical fiber assembly before carrying out a treatment procedure. The optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber, a laser-transparent protective cap that surrounds the fiber tip, and any additional components assembled to the optical fiber and protective cap, such as a coolant jacket. The disposable sleeve includes a transparent end portion corresponding to the transparent protective cap to permit passage of laser light, the sleeve protecting the surgical optical fiber and the protective cap in order to enable re-use of the surgical optical fiber. After the surgical procedure is performed, the sleeve is removed from the optical fiber assembly and the fiber is sterilized. Another sleeve is then placed over the optical fiber assembly so that the optical fiber assembly may be re-used to carry out a second treatment procedure. The disposable sleeve may optionally be preloaded with an index matching and/or cooling material to modulate the laser output, in which case a pressure-relief mechanism such as a spring-biased sealing gasket may be provided to accommodate expansion of the index matching and/or cooling material upon heating during a treatment procedure. The optical fiber assembly may include a side-firing fiber tip, and the fiber tip may optionally be reflectively coated or provided with a metal reflector.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a device with an elongated body having a distal end. The distal end may comprise a port that permits discharge of a laser energy towards a tissue from an optical fiber located in the distal end. An exterior surface of the distal end may include a cauterization portion that permits discharge of a cauterization energy towards the tissue. In some aspects, the device includes an insulative portion that attaches the distal end to the elongated body and limits energy transfer therebetween. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a medical optical fiber with protective tips for use with medical laser-based treatment of internal bodily organs. The medical optical fibers have apertures in a jacket of the medical optical fiber to increase an adhesion between the protective tip and the jacket.