Photonic crystal fibers and medical systems including photonic crystal fibers

Abstract

In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods that include directing radiation to a target location of a patient through a photonic crystal fiber, the photonic crystal fiber having a hollow core and flowing a fluid through the hollow core to the target location of the patient.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A system, comprising: 
 a waveguide including a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis, the waveguide being configured so that during operation the waveguide guides radiation along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide and delivers the radiation to a target location;    a fluid source configured so that during operation of the system the fluid source delivers fluid to the hollow core of the waveguide via the input end of the waveguide; and    a tube extending along the waveguide axis, the tube being configured so that during operation of the system the tube channels fluid exiting the output end of the waveguide away from the output end and away from the target location.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the waveguide is a photonic crystal fiber.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the photonic crystal fiber comprises an all-dielectric confinement region configured to guide the radiation along the waveguide axis by substantially confining the radiation to the hollow core.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a jacket surrounding a portion of waveguide and a portion of tube.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein waveguide, tube, and jacket form a flexible duct.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising a cap positioned to cover the output end of waveguide.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein during operation of the system the cap prevents the fluid exiting the output end of the waveguide from reaching the target location.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the cap comprises a window positioned to transmit radiation exiting the output end of the waveguide during operation of the system.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the cap comprises an exhaust port that during operation of the system provides a pathway for the fluid exiting the core to flow into the tube.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a laser configured to direct radiation into the input end of the waveguide during operation of the system.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the laser is a CO 2  laser.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a coupling assembly configured to deliver radiation from a radiation source and fluid from the fluid source to the hollow core of waveguide during operation of the system.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a pump configured to draw fluid through the tube away from the output end of the waveguide during operation of the system.  
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a handpiece attached to the waveguide, the handpiece being configured to allow an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to the target location during operation of the system.  
   
   
       47 . A method, comprising: 
 simultaneously guiding radiation and fluid through a waveguide having a hollow core;    directing the guided radiation exiting the waveguide towards a target location; and    directing the fluid exiting the waveguide away from the target location of the patient.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid exiting the waveguide is directed away from the target location by directing the fluid through a tube, where the tube and the waveguide extend along a common axis.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the fluid exiting the waveguide is prevented from reaching the target location by a cap at the output end of the waveguide that directs the fluid from the waveguide to the tube.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the cap comprises a window that transmits radiation exiting the waveguide to the target location.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid reduces heating of the waveguide by the radiation.