Systems, devices, and methods for determining a distance between a distal end of an endoscope and a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. A surgical laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer and a controller. The feedback analyzer can receive at least two reflected signals from a target in response to electromagnetic radiation directed at the target. The at least two reflected signals correspond to respective different distances between a distal end of a device of a surgical laser system and the target. The feedback analyzer can determine a distance between the distal end of the device of the surgical laser system and the target based on the at least two reflected signals. The controller can generate a control signal to the surgical laser system to perform a predetermined operation based on the determined distance.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. An endoscopic target identification system includes an endoscope having an endoscopic illumination source, an optical fiber insertable through a working channel of the endoscope and coupled to a non-endoscopic illumination source different from the endoscopic illumination source, and a controller. The controller can send a control signal to the non-endoscopic illumination source to emit a diagnostic beam through the optical fiber when the at least one endoscopic illumination source changes from a first mode to a second mode. The second mode has a lower amount of illumination than the first mode. The controller can determine a composition of a target based on the diagnostic beam incident on the target and light from the diagnostic beam being reflected from the target.

Systems, devices, and methods for delivering laser energy directed toward target tissue using a spectroscopic feedback. An exemplary laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer to receive a signal from a target tissue using a spectroscopic sensor, and a laser controller to determine whether the received signal generally equals a first preset. If the received signal meets the first preset, the laser controller can send a control signal to a laser system to change from a first state to a second state of the first laser system. The laser system can deliver laser energy via an optical fiber towards the target tissue.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying different structure types with distinct composition in vivo and adjusting surgical laser output accordingly in a medical procedure are disclosed. An exemplary laser treatment system comprises a laser system configured to generate a laser beam for delivery to a target in a body, and a controller circuit configured to receive a signal reflected from the target in response to electromagnetic radiation produced by a light source, and generate one or more spectroscopic properties from the reflected signal. The controller circuit can identify the target as one of a plurality of structure types, such as tissue types or calculi types with respective compositions, using the one or more spectroscopic properties. The laser system can be controlled to operate in an operating mode based on the target identification.

Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.

The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt intimal and medial calcium within the vasculature.

The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt vascular blockages via the sheath and/or a tip at the end of the sheath.

Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.

A laser system may include a controller configured to direct a plurality of temporally spaced-apart electrical pulses to a device that optically pumps a lasing medium, and a lasing medium configured to output a quasi-continuous laser pulse in response to the optical pumping. The plurality of temporally spaced-apart electrical pulses may include (a) a first electrical pulse configured to excite the lasing medium to an energy level below a lasing threshold of the lasing medium, and (b) multiple second electrical pulses following the first electrical pulse. The quasi-continuous laser pulse is output in response to the multiple second electrical pulses.

A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures at a treatment site within or adjacent a blood vessel wall includes a catheter, a fortified balloon inflation fluid and a first light guide. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon that is coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon has a balloon wall and can expand to a first expanded configuration to anchor the catheter in position relative. The fortified balloon inflation fluid can expand the balloon to the first expanded configuration. The fortified balloon inflation fluid includes a base inflation fluid and a fortification component. The fortification component reduces a threshold for inducing plasma formation in the fortified balloon inflation fluid compared to the base inflation fluid. The fortification component can include at least one of carbon and iron. The first light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is positioned at least partially within the balloon. The first light guide is in optical communication with a light source and the fortified balloon inflation fluid. The light source provides sub-millisecond pulses of a light to the first light guide so that plasma formation and rapid bubble formation occur in the fortified balloon inflation fluid, thereby imparting pressure waves upon the treatment site.