Patent ID: 8098423

Claim:
A mid-infrared light-based system, comprising: a gain fiber of a cladding pumped fiber laser adapted to generate at least a first optical signal comprising one or more wavelengths, the gain fiber comprising a first waveguide structure within an optical oscillator structure to cause lasing; a second waveguide structure coupled to the gain fiber and operable to wavelength shift at least one wavelength of the first optical signal to a longer wavelength optical signal, the longer wavelength optical signal comprising a wavelength in the range of 1.7 microns or more; and a third waveguide structure coupled to an output end of the second waveguide structure, the third waveguide structure being part of a scope adapted to be inserted into a patient's body through an orifice during a medical procedure, wherein the third waveguide structure is capable of at least partially transmitting the longer wavelength optical signal; the scope further comprising a focusing element coupled to a distal end of the third waveguide structure, the focusing element adapted to focus at least a portion of the longer wavelength optical signal onto a part of the patient's body.