Patent ID: 7991258

Claim:
A system, comprising: a flexible waveguide comprising a hollow core: extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from a CO 2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide; and a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece comprises a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location, the target location being in line with the waveguide axis at the output end of the waveguide, and the tip comprises an aperture through which radiation exiting the output end propagates unimpeded to the target location and an opening that allows the passage of fluid between the output end and the environment when the tip is positioned at the target location.