Power regulated medical underskin irradiation treament system

Abstract

A system and method for controllably releasing laser radiation in percutaneous laser treatment is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an optical fiber is inserted below the skin or into a vascular lumen to a predetermined point. The fiber is connected to a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a laser. Radiation is then delivered to the treatment site while the fiber is simultaneously drawn out to the entry point. The fiber is manually withdrawn at a predetermined rate and radiation is administered in a constant power or energy level. To maintain a constant proper energy density, the speed of withdrawal is measured and sent to a controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism modifies the power emitted, pulse length or pulse rate to ensure that the vein or tissue receives a consistent dose of energy. In one preferred embodiment, an imaging device provides the controlling device with speed information based on fiber surface textural properties or based on a series of bar code like markings. In another embodiment, additional information is collected, such as vein diameter prior to treatment, position of the distal end of the fiber, and/or impact measurements such as vibration or temperature during treatment, and the controlling mechanism adjusts output power or pulse rate in response to measurements to maintain a desired power density.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to the field of underskin radiation therapy. More particularly, the invention relates to power regulated laser underskin or vein therapy.[0003] 2. Information Disclosure Statement[0004] Automatic power or wavelength control is known and is utilized in various forms in a variety of laser applications. Such known devices use a variety of parameters by which to control laser energy. It is often advantageous to provide means for regulating radiation parameters, such as power or pulse rate, to ensure a consistent application of radiation or to provide means for altering parameters in response to changing treatment conditions. Inability to properly regulate output power or pulse rate can compromise the safety of a radiation treatment by increasing the risk of perforation, scarring or skin color changes due to energy overdose. Without proper power regulation, the risk also exists of providing insufficient energy, thus ins...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0047] Another advantage of the present invention is that the practitioner has greater control over the procedure while being able to ensure that consistent doses are applied. The practitioner has the option of speeding or slowing pullback for any reason, including possible discomfort of the patient, and may also discontinue irradiation at any time by halting the pullback completely.

0048] The present invention is ideally suited for use in conjunction with underskin or intralumenal therapeutic radiation devices, such as the underskin treatment device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,332 by Del Giglio.

0049] The present invention is further illustrated by the following example, but is not limited thereby.

Problems solved by technology

Inability to properly regulate output power or pulse rate can compromise the safety of a radiation treatment by increasing the risk of perforation, scarring or skin color changes due to energy overdose.

Without proper power regulation, the risk also exists of providing insufficient energy, thus insufficiently treating an area and producing the possibility for the need for additional treatments.

In ablation procedures such as TMR, the rate of advancement of the laser fiber is very important yet difficult to control with hand advanced techniques.

This method does not provide a method of insertion, and does not provide a way to automatically control the laser output depending on the position of the fiber tip.

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