Patent ID: 6981971

Claim:
A medical laser device comprising: an introducer sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a portion of said introducer sheath being insertable into a blood vessel, said introducer sheath having graduated markings along said portion thereof, said graduated markings being exposed as said introducer sheath is withdrawn from the blood vessel; an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal tip, said optical fiber being insertable into and movable along said introducer sheath; and a first indicator on said optical fiber that indicates a position of said distal tip of said optical fiber relative to said introducer sheath when said optical fiber has been inserted into said introducer sheath; wherein location of said first indicator adjacent said proximal end of said introducer sheath indicates to a user that said distal tip of said optical fiber does not project beyond said distal end of said introducer sheath; and wherein said introducer sheath may be withdrawn from the blood vessel at a desired rate by controlling exposure of said graduated markings.