Patent ID: 7063695

Claim:
An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, said optical fiber having a proximal end adapted to be in communication with the light source and a diffuser portion 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 diffuser portion of said optical fiber; (b) a layer of cladding radially surrounding said core from said core proximal portion to a point adjacent said core distal portion; (c) a layer of optical coupling material radially surrounding at least a portion of said core distal portion; (d) a slug including a light-scattering material therein positioned adjacent said distal face of said core and a distal end of said optical coupling layer, wherein said light-scattering material fluoresces in a temperature dependent manner upon being stimulated by light; and, (e) a sleeve radially surrounding said cladding layer, said optical coupling layer and said slug, wherein said sleeve is composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; wherein said light-scattering material of said slug is molded with substantially the same type of material utilized for said sleeve.