Abstract:
A multi-component sterile, disposable tip apparatus for laser surgical devices is provided and features assembly for alignment of a self-contained optical fiber to the surgical device and releasably locking assembly between the tip and device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICRO-FICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to surgical instruments for laser ablation procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to a sterile, disposable tip apparatus for such surgical instruments. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Medical laser treatment using hand-held instruments has generally been developed for ophthalmic, dental, orthopedic, and similar surgical procedures where the treatment area is confined or particularly difficult to reach. Typically, laser light is transmitted from a laser source though an optical fiber to a treatment site. The optical fiber terminates proximally in a laser source connector for connection to the laser source and terminates distally in a handpiece manipulated by the surgeon. 
         [0006]    A handpiece used during one procedure cannot be used with another patient in a subsequent procedure unless some form of sterilization is performed. Types of sterilization techniques range from autoclaves to gas. Gas procedures are time consuming and costly. Autoclave temperatures generally have proven too severe for laser surgical handpieces to withstand. 
         [0007]    Accordingly it would be useful to provide a sterile, disposable tip for use with a laser surgical device. 
         [0008]    It would be of further use if the sterile, disposable tip provided means for precise alignment of the optical fiber in the tip to the source of laser energy in the surgical device. 
         [0009]    Yet another useful advantage would be for the sterile, disposable tip to be releasably attached to the device with precise optical, mechanical, magnetic, electro-mechanical, or electro-magnetic locking and alignment assembly. 
         [0010]    Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of disposable tip apparatus  100  adapted to reusable laser surgical device  500 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of disposable tip apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of disposable tip apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  taken at “A-A.” 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of disposable tip apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  engaged with a reusable laser surgical device  500 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    With reference to drawing  FIGS. 1-4 , disposable tip apparatus  100  for reusable laser surgical device is presented. 
         [0016]    The tip apparatus  100  comprises in combination: a first end  10  having a longitudinal axis  12  and adapted to releasably fit on the distal end of the surgical device  500 ; second end  20  tapering to a discharge tip  22 ; optical fiber means  30  for delivery of light energy axially positioned within the tip apparatus from within the first end  10  and extending beyond the discharge tip  22 ; means for removably locking the first end  10  to the surgical device  500  and connecting the first end  10 , second end  20 , and optical fiber means  30 ; and means for aligning fiber optic means  30  within the tip apparatus  10  with the surgical device  500  for surgical laser treatment. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of the tip apparatus  100  provides means for aligning the optical fiber means within the tip apparatus with the surgical device comprising a sleeve on the tip first end. 
         [0018]    Another embodiment of tip apparatus  100  provides means for aligning the optical fiber means within the tip apparatus with the surgical device comprises at least two slits  550  spaced equally apart on the distal end of the surgical device  500  and a tip first end sleeve  16  having internal longitudinal ribs  18  adapted to fit the surgical device slits  550 . In this manner, the tip apparatus  100  is secured to the surgical device  500  in such a way as to allow freedom of movement in only one dimension, along the longitudinal axis  12 . 
         [0019]    An embodiment of the tip apparatus  100  provides a discharge tip end is along (not shown) the first end longitudinal axis  12 . 
         [0020]    Another embodiment of tip apparatus  100  provides the discharge tip  22  end at an acute angle to the first end  10  longitudinal axis  12 ,  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0021]    Yet another embodiment of tip apparatus  100  provides the discharge tip  22  end at a right angle (not shown) to the first end longitudinal axis  12 . 
         [0022]    As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first end  10 , second end  20 , and fiber optic means  30  communicate via a common connector  50  comprising a probe  52  and housing  54  adapted to the second end  20 . The probe  52  and housing  54  further comprise an axial orifice size to receive and contain fiber optic means  30 . 
         [0023]    The probe  52  and housing  54  further comprise means for releasably locking the first end  10  to the surgical device  500  comprises at least one member of the group consisting of means for magnetic coupling, means for mechanical coupling, means for electro-mechanical coupling, and means for electro-magnetic coupling. The preferred embodiment of tip apparatus  100  comprises magnetic material in the housing  54  which, when the tip apparatus  100  is positioned on the surgical device  500 , is proximate to a magnet within the surgical device  500 , releasably locking the tip apparatus  100  to the surgical device  500 . 
         [0024]    The tip apparatus  100  first end  10  and second end  20  are made of at least one member of the group consisting of polyimide, polycarbon, stainless steel, and steel, iron, plastic aluminum, and the like materials. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment of disposable tip assembly  10  for reusable surgical laser treatment device  500 , the tip assembly  10  is packaged as a sterile assembly and comprises in combination: a first sleeved end  16  adapted to releasably fit on the device  500  and having a longitudinal axis  12 ; a second cannula end  20  tapering to a discharge tip  22 ; optical fiber means  30  for delivery of light energy axially positioned within the tip assembly  10  and extending beyond the discharge tip  22 ; means for removably locking the first sleeved end  16  to the device  500 , and connecting the first sleeved end  16 , second cannula end  20 , and optical fiber means  30 ; and means for aligning fiber optic means  30  within the tip assembly  10  with reusable device  500  for surgical laser treatment. 
         [0026]    Means for aligning the optical fiber means  30  within the tip assembly  10  with the surgical device  500  comprises at least two slits  550  spaced equally apart on the distal end of the surgical device  500  and internal longitudinal ribs  18  on the sleeve  16  adapted to fit the surgical device slits  550 . These slits  550  and corresponding ribs  18  are precisely machined to high tolerance in such a manner that the precision of alignment of optical fiber means  30  within the tip assembly  10  with the surgical device  500  is not dependent upon the strength or size of magnetic material in the housing  54  or the surgical device  500 . This alignment assembly allows variable rotation of the tip assembly  10  with the surgical device  500  to allow use of the same surgical device  500  device by right- or left-handed surgeons. 
         [0027]    For a preferred embodiment of sterile polyimide sleeve assembly  10  for reusable laser surgical device  500 , the sleeve assembly comprises in combination: a first end  10  having a longitudinal axis  12  and adapted to releasably fit on a distal end of the surgical device  550 ; a cannula second end  20  tapering to a discharge tip  22  at an acute downward angle to the first end longitudinal axis  12 ; optical fiber means  30  for delivery of light energy axially positioned within the tip assembly from within the first end  10  and extending beyond the discharge tip  22 ; magnetic means  50  for releasably locking the first end to the surgical device distal end and connecting the first end  10 , cannula second end  20 , and optical fiber means  30 ; and six slits  550  spaced sixty degrees apart on the distal end of the surgical device  500  and first end internal longitudinal ribs  18  adapted to fit the surgical device slits  550 .