Laser system and method
Patent 4120293 Issued on October 17, 1978. Estimated Expiration Date: 
September 17, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
September 17, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3467098 3471215 3659613 3777742 3834391 Laser amplifiers Patent #: 3974454 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 05/724119 filed on 09/17/1976US Classes:600/476, Visible light radiation359/343, Glass (amorphous)606/2Light applicationExaminersPrimary: Kamm, William E.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesA61B 18/20 (20060101)A61B 18/24 (20060101) A61B 5/08 (20060101) A61B 1/267 (20060101) A61B 6/00 (20060101) B23K 26/06 (20060101) H01S 3/23 (20060101) H01S 3/06 (20060101) A61B 19/00 (20060101) AbstractA laser system employs a laser amplifier doped with Neodymium ions having a planar input surface receiving a laser beam having a wavelength of 1.06 microns from a laser generator also employing a Neodymium doped crystal. The laser amplifier provides an output face axially aligned with the input face and having a diameter of approximately one-fifth of the input face diameter. Approximately 88 percent of the axial length of the amplifier crystal is tapered to provide a continuously decreasing cross-section from a point near the input face to a point near the output face and forming a tapered spontaneous pumping zone of substantially reduced diameter adjacent the output face. A special retainer encloses the laser amplifier which direct output pulses from the output face through a bronchoscope to vaporize carbon and possibly other particles located on alveoli within a lung of a living mammal. X-ray producing particles may be introduced to the alveoli for subsequent vaporization by the amplified laser beam which is sensed to provide an output for diagnosis purposes.Other References
| |
