Patent ID: 7113675

Claim:
An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, said optical fiber having a proximal end in communication with thc light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site, said optical fiber comprising: (a) a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate said distal end of said optical fiber; (b) a layer of cladding radially surrounding said care from said core proximal portion to a designated point adjacent said core distal portion; (c) a sleeve radially surrounding said cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, (d) a tip diffuser positioned at said distal end of said optical fiber, said tip diffuser further comprising: (1) a first substantially ring-shaped portion radially surrounding a designated section of said core distal portion, said first tip diffuser portion including light-scattering material therein which fluoresces in a temperature dependent manner upon being stimulated by light; (2) a second portion terminating in a penetrating tip and being composed essentially of said sleeve type of material; and (3) a third substantially ring-shaped portion radially surrounding an upstream section of said core distal portion, said third tip diffuser portion being composed essentially of said sleeve type material.