METHOD OF MEDICAL TREATMENT USING AN EXCIMER LASER ON ORGANIC TISSUE IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AT A PATHOLOGICAL SITUS

Abstract: Excimer radiation in the range of 248-400nm does not operate by the same thermal processes which restrict the medical use of conventional lasers in medicine. Radiation from an excimer laser (10) is delivered to pathological sites in the body through optical means (25). In one embodiment, the radiation is conveyed by means of a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide (25) through a hollow catheter (27) which is inserted into the vasculature for ultimate delivery to the atherosclerotic lesion in the coronary arteries. In another embodiment the excimer laser radiation is delivered to the pathological situs in the body by endoscopic means (28). In another embodiment the excimer laser radiation is delivered to the pathological situs in the body by means of a focusing lens (29). As a result of the excimer laser's relative lack of thermal destructive effects on tissues adjacent to the incident beam, and the capacity for highly localized delivery, the clinical utility of laser radiation in surgical procedures is substantially enhanced by use of this invention.

Description: DESCRIPTION METHOD OF MEDICAL TREATMENT USING AN EXCIMER LASER ON ORGANIC TISSUE IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AT A PATHOLOGICAL SITUS Background of the Invention Having found a host of uses in industry, surveying and communications, lasers at present have found only limited utility in the medical arena. The major problem encountered in the medical use of currently available rgon Ion, Neodynium Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd-YAG) and rarbon dioxide lasers is uncontrolled damage to normal healthy tissue adjacent to the pathological area at which the laser is directed. The effect of these lasers on human tissues can best be described as primarily a thermal process. As the laser irradiates tissue, it causes the tissue temperature to increase. The tissue directly beneath the incident beam blanches and then melts. A small crater appears at the radiation situs. The liquid produced as a result of the tissue melting boils, producing explosive bubbles. As the molten tissue continues to vaporize, the crater deepens with the crater margins progressively expanding. The heat generated at the radiation situs is conducted to surrounding areas of tissue thereby producing thermal and injury to tissue areas remote from the radiation situs. (See Abela, et al. Am. J. Cardiology Vol. 50, p. 1199 (1982)). Moreover, the extent of histologic injury adjacent to the crater varies directly with the energy delivered. (See Gerrity, et al, Cardiovasc Surg., Vol. 85, p. 409 (1983) and Castro, et al Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol. 9, No. 33, p. 221 (1982)). Furthermore, the longer the area is exposed to the radiation, the greater the resulting adjacent tissue damage will be. The locally generated thermal damage precludes medical applications of lasers in procedures in which precise, cell-by-cell tissue ablation is contemplated. In 1981, the first reported study undertaken to determine the effect of laser irradiation focused on human cadaver coronary arteries was performed. (See Lee, et al, Aπ _ Heart J., Vol. 102, No. 6, p. 1074 (1981)). This study was designed to test the potential effects of laser irradiation on the removal of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries of humans. This and subsequent studies suffered from the same complications referred to above, namely, carbonization or charring of concentric areas of surrounding tissue in proportion to the energy delivered and coagulation necrosis. The energy required to ablate tissue and achieve desired effects, namely recanalizatioπ of the vessel, also leads in some cases to perforation of the vessel wall. As a result of these complications, clinical utilization of such lasers has largely been limited to photocoagulation and destruction of tumors and sk n lesions. Photocoagulation is the process of using laser energy to coagulate and/or denature proteins and is used in ophthalmology as a treatment for ocular disorders such as detached retinas. The basic reaction in photo¬ coagulation involves the conversion of radiant energy of the laser into thermal energy in the tissue thereby producing a localized lesion of photocoagulated or dena¬ tured protein substances. The resulting scar provides a base upon which the detached retina adheres. Photo¬ coagulation is also utilized in the treatment of various vascular abnormalities and to cauterize broken blood vessels. The blue-green light emitted by the argon laser is particularly effective in this procedure. Lasers are also effective in the destruction of tumors and skin lesions. In this capacity, the laser operates to vaporize the pathological tissue layer by layer. As such, its thermal destructive effects produce the beneficial effect of destroying the tumor mass. However, even where the tumor mass is highly localized, heat from the lased tumor tissue is conducted to adjacent healthy tissue presenting the same problems mentioned above. In all of these limited medical applications, the respective procedures rely on the laser's thermal effects. But it is precisely those thermal effects which foreclose successful use of Argon, Nd-yAG and carbon dioxide lasers in a host of other procedures. For example, thermal destruction of even minute areas of adjacent brain, spinal, nervous system, coronary or other delicate tissues would produce devastating effects thereby effectively reducing the clinical utility of such lasers in procedures involving these tissues. For surgical procedures involving these types of tissues, precise cell-by-cell tissue abation without the thermal destructive effectsis highly desirable. Objects and Summary of the Invention A general object of the present invention is the provision of an excimer laser apparatus and delivery system for use in biological systems. Another object of the invention is to provide the beneficial medical effects of lasers without the thermal destructive complications which have heretofore limited the use of lasers in medicine. A more specific object of the invention is to provide a method of medical treatment using an excimer laser apparatus and delivery system on coronary atherosclerotic plaque in order to obviate the need for more invasive general surgical techniques. Other objects of the invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following description. The present invention provides a combination excimer laser and delivery system for a variety of medical applications in the human body. The laser apparatus -4- e its radiation in the near ultra violet wavelength range and provides for its delivery to biological tissues without the inherent complications and thermal tissue injury which inhibit fuller utilization of conventional Argon, Nd-YAG and C02 lasers in biological systems. While the precise process by which this laser apparatus operates in biological systems has not been fully elucidated, two postulated mechanisms have been proposed. In the first postulate known as photochemical desorption, the excimer laser excites the molecules in biological tissues to energy levels which exceed the ionization potential of many organic molecules causing disruption of the chemical bonds which hold these molecules together. (See Srinivasan, et al, J.A.C.S. , Vol. 103, p. 5245 (1981)). As the chemical bonds disrupt, the molecular fragments are ejected carrying away the excess energy of the photon pulse thereby preventing a temperature rise in the tissues surrounding- the area of the incident beam. In the second postulate, the excimer laser as a result of its short pulse duration capability, has the capacity to vaporize the incident tissue at such a rapid rate that the rate of tissue destruction exceeds the ability of that tissue to conduct the heat away to surrounding tissue. The heating is so rapid that it is only superficial, and the vaporization carries away the heat before it has time to penetrate below the surface by conduction. Both postulated mechanisms lead to the same conclusion. Since the temperature in the surrounding tissues does not increase appreciably, the damage to the cells in the area adjacent to the incident beam is minimal. The tissue damage (including carbonization or charring, coagulation necrosis and vacuolization secondary to blast or sonic injury) which is characteristic of the Argon, Nd-Yag and C02 lasers used in biological systems is drastically reduced. The result is a clean, almost scalpel-like incision in the area of the laser beam. The clinical implications of a laser apparatus with the described capabilities are far-reaching. The methods of treatment which the invention contemplates may obviate the need for the traumatic and highly invasive procedures utilized in, for example, the treatment of coronary occlusions, biliary and urological obstructions, and in orthopedics, the drilling of bone. In one embodiment a fiberoptic waveguide which is designed to convey laser radiation of specified wavelength is delivered to a variety of pathological sites in the body without the need for elaborate and more invasive surgical procedures. This can be accomplished by the insertion of a hollow catheter means into the vasculature of the patient's arm. When inserted, the catheter means follows the contours of the blood vessel into which it is inserted until it arrives at the area of the pathological situs, for example, the coronary arteries. The fiberoptic waveguide is then inserted into the hollow catheter means for ultimate delivery to the area of occlusion in the coronary arteries. The fiberoptic is secured about the mouth of the catheter body by means of a coupler. Laser radiation of specified wavelength (308 nanometers in the preferred embodiment) is then delivered from the excitation chamber through a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide for ultimate delivery to the atherosclerotic plaque which adheres to the intimal wall of the coronary arteries and is composed of cholesterol, esterified fatty acids and calcium salts with a small amount of protein. When the energy is delivered to the pathological site the plaque is vaporized with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. The excimer laser does not operate by the same thermal processes which critically inhibit the use of conventional lasers on organic tissue. During excimer irradiation of organic tissue, small wedge-shaped craters are formed without bubbling of tissue, smoke, carbonization or charring of the tissue margins and no late lateral expansion of the zone of tissue injury. Histologic examination reveals that the depth of penetration of the incident beam through the tissues varies directly with the number of pulses. Significantly, the width of the crater as measured at its widest point does not increase, but remains relatively constant, independent of the number of pulses. The relative lack of thermal destructive tissue effects and the clean, scalpel-like incision produced by the excimer laser allows for a degree of precision in the surgical capability of lasers which is unprecedented. In comparison to the uncontrolled tissue destruction caused by vaporization secondary to thermal dessication by lasers such as the Argon laser, exquisite control of tissue destruction is obtained using the excimer laser. In another embodiment the fiberoptic waveguide is delivered to the pathological situs by endoscopic . means. The endoscopic means provides access to the surgical situs which would otherwise be accessible only by general surgical techniques. The fact that the subject procedure does not require surgical incision and exposure of the pathological situs, obviates the need for general anesthesia, and the procedure may be performed by using a local anesthetic. For example, in one embodi¬ ment, damaged cartilage in a patient's knee is made expediently accessible by insertion of the fused silica fiberoptic waveguide through an arthroscope. The damaged cartilage can be visualized through fiberoptic bundles inserted along with the fiberoptic waveguide for conveyance of the laser radiation. When the target site is visualized, the laser radiation is emitted through the fiberoptic and the torn or damaged tissue is vaporized. In orthopedic applications the very precise cutting capabilities of the excimer laser alleviates the need for conventional drilling procedures in the cutting of bone. The invention is also useful in breaking up renal calculi or kidney stones. Also, the precise, cell-by- cell tissue ablation which the invention contemplates allows for the use of the invention in the delicate tissues of the brain and nervous system. Brief Description Of The Drawings Fig 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a excimer laser apparatus with a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide and catheter delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig 2 is a perspective view of an excimer laser apparatus and fiberoptic endoscopic delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig 3 is a perspective view of an excimer laser apparatus and focusing lens delivery system according to one embodiment of the presen . invention. Description Of Preferred Embodiment While the invention has application with utility and advantage to a multiplicity of clinical procedures, the following will describe the invention in one such application. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an excimer laser apparatus 10 having a power source 22, a sealed metallic housing with top 13, bottom 14 and side plates 11 and 12 composed of non-conductive metal and end walls 19 and 20 defining therein a sealed, gas-tight laser excitation chamber 23 for dispersion therein of a lasing gas mixture. The end walls disclose an aperture 21 which is aligned with the electrical discharge zone as defined by the area between a pair of parallel electrodes 15 and 16 located inside the laser housing. The aperture 21 is disposed for transmission therethrough of laser radiation from the internal excitation chamber 23. The excitation chamber 23 contains a lasing gas medium which upon excitation produces an excimer (excited dimer). The lasing gas medium is composed of one species of the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe and a second species is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I. At opposite ends of the laser body are mirrors 17 and 18 disposed for alignment with window 21 and electrical discharge zone. Mirror 17 is totally reflective for complete reflection of laser radiation whereas mirror 18 is only partially reflective allowing for transmission of laser output energy through the mirrored surface for ultimate delivery to the pathological site. The excited laser gas medium emits radiation through the aperture 21 and the partially transmissive mirror 18 into a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide 25 which is operatively attached 24 to the laser body in alignment with the laser discharge zone. The radiation is then conveyed via the fiberoptic for delivery to the pathological situs.. The fiberoptic may be delivered by means of a hollow catheter 27 disposed for insertion therein of the fiberoptic waveguide 25. The fiberoptic 25 is secured about the mouth of said hollow catheter by means of a coupler 26. The hollow catheter 27 extends from a point outside the body for reception therein of the fiberoptic 25 and extends to the area of the pathological site for sealed metallic housing with top 13, bottom 14 and side plates 11 and 12 composed of non-conductive metal and end walls 19 and 20 defining therein a sealed, gas-tight laser excitation chamber 23 for dispersion therein of a invention, the catheter 27 may be delivered by means of insertion through the vasculature in the patient's arm and directed to the coronary arteries for radiation and vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque which adheres to the intimal surface of the arteries. FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention whereby the fiberoptic waveguide 25 conveys the laser radiation from the optical discharge zone to the pathological site by endoscopic means 28. The endoscopic eans 28 may consist of an arthroscope disposed for insertion therein of said fiberoptic waveguide 25 for ultimate delivery to, for example, damaged cartilage in a patient's knee. FIG. 3 depicts the delivery of laser radiation through a focusing lens 29 for ultimate delivery to any external pathological site or to a surgically exposed pathological site. From the above description it will be understood that there has been provided improved laser apparatus for delivery of radiation to biological systems and improved methods of medical treatment using laser radiation. The advantages of the invention are obtained from the use of excimer laser apparatus on biological tissue with a compatible delivery system for ultimate conveyance of the laser radiation to the pathological site in the biological system. While various apparatus and methods of treatment have been described in order to make, the invention known to those skilled in the ' art, the foregoing description should be taken as illustrative and not limiting in any sense.

Claims: -10- Claims; 1. An excimer laser apparatus for use in biological systems at a pathological situs comprising?: an excitation chamber for dispersion therein of a lasing gas mixture; a lasing gas mixture in said chamber which when excited produces a molecular reaction raising at least one species of said mixture to a metastable state thereby producing laser radiation; exciting means connected to said chamber for excitation of said lasing gas mixture; and optical means for conveying said laser radiation to biological systems at a pathological situs, said conveying means being operatively connected to said excitation chamber. 2. The invention set forth in Claim 1, wherein the pulse duration of said laser radiation ranges from 1/10 nanosecond to 10 milliseconds. 3. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe. 4. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein a second species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Cl, Fl, Br, and I. 5. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is Xe. 6. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein a second species of said lasing gas mixture is Cl. 7. The invention set forth in Claim 1 wherein a third species of said lasing gas mixture is He. 8. The invention set forth in Claim 1 wherein said exciting means includes means for raising at least one species of said lasing gas mixture to a metastable state by electrical energy. 9. The invention set forth in Claim 1 wherein said exciting means includes means for raising at least one species of said lasing gas mixture to a metastable state by chemical energy. 10. The invention set forth in Claim 1 wherein said exciting means includes means for raising at least one species of said lasing gas mixture to a metastable state by heat energy. ' 11. The invention set forth in Claim 1 wherein said exciting means includes means for raising at least one species of said lasing gas mixture to a metastable state by light energy. 12. The invention set forth in Claim 7 wherein said exciting means includes electrodes defining therebetween an area for electrical discharge in said lasing gas mixture. 13. The invention set forth in any of the preceding claims in which said conveying means for use in biological systems includes optical means disposed to convey laser radiation. 14. The invention set forth in Claim 12, wherein said optical means includes a focusing lens. AO OB røΛNtf 15. The invention set forth in Claim 12, wherein said optical means includes a . fused silica fiberoptic waveguide. 16. The invention set forth in Claim 12, in which said conveying means for use in biological systems includes endoscopic means disposed for insertion therein of said optical means. 17. The invention set forth in Claim 12, in which said conveying means for use in biological systems includes hollow catheter means disposed for insertion therein of said optical means. 18. The invention set forth in Claim 16, wherein said catheter means and said optical means are connected by means of a coupler. 19. An excimer laser apparatus for us ' e in biological systems at a pathological situs comprising: when attached and sealed to an electrically non-conductive laser body defines a gas- tight internal chamber for dispersion therein of a lasing gas mixture; a lasing gas mixture including Xe, He and Hcl which when excited produces a molecular reaction raising one of said species to an electronically excited state for combination with another species to form an excited molecule which upon return to the ground state emits radiation at a wavelength of 308 nm; exciting means disposed for electronic excitation of said lasing gas mixture in said excitation chamber, said exciting means including a high voltage d-c power source operatively connected to laser electrodes defining therebetween the excitation chamber; optical means for conveying said laser radiation to the pathological situs, said optical means including a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide operatively connected to the laser aperture through which said radiation passes and extending from the laser aperture to the pathological situs; and hollow catheter means disposed for insertion therein of said optical means, said optical means secured about the mouth of said hollow catheter means by means of a coupler, said hollow catheter means extending from a point outside the body and disposed for reception therein of said optical means an extending to the area of the pathological situs for delivery thereto of said optical means for conveyance of laser radiation to the pathological situs. 20. A method of medical treatment comprising: inserting a • hollow catheter into the vasculature for delivery of fused silica fiberoptic means to pathological situs in the body; inserting therein a fiberoptic means secured about the mouth of said catheter body by means of a coupler, said fiberoptic means extending from the point of exit of radiation at the aperture of the laser apparatus to the pathological situs of the peripheral vasculature or the coronary arteries and conveying thereto energy in the form of laser radiation; exciting a lasing gas mixture to produce coherent radiation wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe, and a second species of said mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I to produce a metastable state in said gas mixture; and delivering said coherent laser energy from the laser cavity, along said optical path, through the catheter hollow for ultimate irradiation of the pathological situs. 21. A method of medical treatment com¬ prising: inserting an endoscopic means into the body for delivery of fiberoptic means to pathological situs; inserting therethrough a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide means secured thereto by connecting means, said fiberoptic means extending from the point of exit of radiation at the aperature of the laser apparatus to the pathological situs and conveying thereto energy in the fprm of laser radiation; exciting a lasing gas mixture to produce coherent radiation wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe, and a second species of said mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I to produce a metastable state in said gas mixture; * and conveying said coherent laser energy from the laser cavity, through the laser aperture, along said optical path, and through the endoscopic means for ultimate irradiation of the pathological situs. 22. A method of medical treatment com¬ prising: exciting a lasing gas mixture to produce coherent radiation wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe, and a second species of said mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I to produce a metastable state in said lasing gas mixture; and delivering said coherent laser energy from the laser cavity through transmitting means to a focusing lens for ultimate irradiation of the pathological situs. 23. A method of medical treatment comp ising: exciting a lasing gas mixture to produce coherent radiation wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe, and a second species of said mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I to produce a metastable state in said gas mixture; conveying said coherent laser energy from the laser cavity along optical means including a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide; delivering said laser energy to calcified tissue or bone in the human body; and, cutting said calcified tissue or bone in the treatment of medical disorders or for orthopedic reconstruction. 24. A method of medical treatment com¬ prising: exciting a lasing gas mixture to produce coherent radiation wherein one species of said lasing gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of the noble gases Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe, and a second species of said mixture is selected from the group consisting of the halogens Fl, Cl, Br and I to produce a metastable state in said gas mixture; conveying said coherent laser energy from the laser cavity along optical means including a fused silica fiberoptic waveguide; delivering said laser energy onto an external site on the body to facilitate incision of human tissue; and incising said human tissue providing thereby access to a surgical field.

Inventors: GRUNDFEST WARREN SCOTT, GRUNDFEST, WARREN, SCOTT
Applicants: CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CENTER, CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61B18, A61N5