Patent ID: 6421361
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: A61K,H01S

Abstract:
A tunable diode laser system comprising:at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge, at least one optical treatment element and a base unit; said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge comprises: at least one diode laser having an optical output of a desired wavelength, an optical port, optically connected to said at least one diode laser, and means for identifying and communicating a set of laser diode cartridge operating parameters to said base unit; said at least one optical treatment element comprising: a proximal end that connects to said base unit, a distal end which delivers said optical output to a treatment site, and means to deliver said optical output from said proximal end to a said distal end; said base unit substantially comprises an enclosure, an electrical power supply, a system controller having means to identify said optical treatment element and means to calculate energy and energy density at a distal end of said optical treatment element, an output terminal to which said proximal end of said optical treatment element connects, means for controlling and dissipating heat, means for connecting said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge to said base unit, means for selecting a desired output wavelength and a power output from said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge, means for electrical connections to connect said electrical power supply to said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge, means for optical connection to transfer said optical output from said optical port in said cartridge to said output terminal protruding through said enclosure, where said at least one optical treatment element connects to said base unit; means for controlling and dissipating heat to maintain a desired temperature of said base unit and said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge; and wherein said optical output is tuned to a desired wavelength by selecting said at least one interchangeable diode laser cartridge having an optical output of about said desired wavelength and controlling said temperature to make wavelength adjustment to said optical output.