Patent ID: 8472108

Claim:
A light-based medical scope system comprising: a pump source including a plurality of semiconductor diodes capable of generating corresponding output beams; a multiplexer capable of combining the output beams and generating at least a first optical signal having one or more wavelengths; a first waveguide structure coupled to the multiplexer and adapted to guide the at least first optical signal having the one or more wavelengths to an output end of the first waveguide structure; a second waveguide structure coupled to the output end of the first waveguide structure, wherein a coupling loss between the output end of the first waveguide structure and the second waveguide structure is approximately 5 dB or less; the second waveguide structure being part of a scope at least a portion of which is adapted to be inserted into a patient's body during a medical procedure, wherein the second waveguide structure is capable of at least partially transmitting the first optical signal having the one or more wavelengths; the scope further comprising a focusing element coupled to a distal end of the second waveguide structure, the focusing element adapted to focus at least a portion of the first optical signal onto a part of the patient's body; and wherein the scope further comprises a housing including a base portion, a flexible portion and a head unit mounted onto the flexible portion, wherein the focusing element is located within or passes through the head unit, and wherein the base portion includes a mechanical control subsystem adapted for at least partially manipulating the flexible portion.