Patent ID: 6176854
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A method for percutaneous laser treatment of a patient having a condition requiring treatment, comprising the steps of:selecting an area to be treated;selecting a source of holmium laser energy capable of stable energy emission of less than about 500 milliJoules per pulse;selecting an optical fiber of appropriate core diameter said optical fiber having a tip;inserting the tip of the optical fiber through the patient's skin into tissue;advancing the tip of the optical fiber through the tissue;treating the tissue by emitting the holmium laser energy through the tip of the optical fiber at an energy level less than about 200 milliJoules per pulse, with a pulse width less than about 200 microseconds and at an energy emission frequency of greater than about 5 Hertz while treating the tissue; andwithdrawing the tip of the optical fiber through the tissue.