Side-firing laser fiber with glass fused reflector and capillary and related methods

Abstract

A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a capillary having a distal end portion;   a reflector disposed within the capillary, the reflector having a surface angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the distal end portion of the capillary, the angled surface configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral direction offset from the longitudinal axis; and   an optical fiber having a buffer layer, an outer surface of a distal end portion of the buffer layer defining a grooved surface portion of the buffer layer having a plurality of grooves, the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer being fixedly coupled to the capillary.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a multilayered dielectric coating disposed on the angled surface of the reflector, the multilayer dielectric coating and the angled surface collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral direction offset from the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reflector is fused to the capillary. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body, the capillary being disposed within the member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body, the member includes a coating disposed about at least a portion of the capillary. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body, the member being made of at least one of a ceramic, a sapphire, or a stainless steel, the capillary being disposed within the member. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body, the member being fixedly coupled to the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer is defined based on at least one of a shape, a size, a number, or a spacing of a groove from the plurality of grooves. 
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising:
 disposing a reflector within a capillary, the reflector having a surface angled relative to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the capillary, the reflector including a multilayered dielectric coating;   defining a grooved surface portion of a buffer layer having a plurality of grooves on an outer surface of the buffer layer of a distal end portion of an optical fiber; and   fixedly coupling the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer to the capillary.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, before the fixedly coupling, disposing the distal end portion of the optical fiber into an interior of the capillary. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, after the disposing of the reflector, fusing the reflector to the capillary. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the defining includes thermally defining the plurality of grooves. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the defining includes defining at least one of a shape, a size, a number, or a spacing of a groove from the plurality of grooves. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising fixedly coupling the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer to a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the disposing of the reflector includes disposing the angled surface of the reflector such that laser energy is redirected from the distal end of the optical fiber to a transmissive portion of a member configured to be inserted into a patient's body when laser energy is sent to the optical fiber. 
   
   
       16 . A method, comprising:
 disposing a first member within a second member, the first member having a surface angled relative to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the second member, the angled surface having a multilayered dielectric coating, the angled surface configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral direction offset from the longitudinal axis;   defining a grooved surface portion of a buffer layer having a plurality of grooves on an outer surface of the buffer layer of a distal end portion of an optical fiber; and   fixedly coupling the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer to the second member.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after the disposing of the first member, fusing the first member to the second member. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising applying, before the fixedly coupling, an adhesive to the grooved surface portion of the buffer layer. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising disposing the second member within an outer member configured to be inserted into a patient's body. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disposing of the first member includes disposing the angled surface of the first member such that laser energy is redirected from the distal end of the optical fiber to a transmissive portion of an outer member configured to be inserted into a patient's body when laser energy is sent to the optical fiber.