Laser fusion of tissue layers

Abstract

A laser tissue fusion device is optimized for particular surgical applications to join tissue layers. The device has two opposed arms that engage and disengage to clamp and release layers of tissue therebetween. The distal end of the first arm is disposed opposite the distal end of the second arm. A laser energy source generates therapeutic laser energy is either integrated within the device is a separate unit. An energy pathway transmits the laser energy to the distal end of the first arm to deliver the laser energy to tissue layers clamped between the distal ends of the arms. An actuator decreases the separation distance between the distal ends of the arms to clamp the tissue layers. A switch activates the laser energy source upon engagement. The laser energy source delivers a burst of energy at a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time sufficient to spot-weld the tissue.

1 . A device for laser fusion of biological tissue comprising
 a first arm with a distal end;   a second arm with a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second arm is disposed opposite the distal end of the first arm;   a laser energy source that generates therapeutic laser energy;   an energy pathway that transmits the therapeutic laser energy from the laser energy source to the distal end of the first arm to deliver the therapeutic laser energy to layers of tissue of a patient positioned between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm;   an actuator configured to decrease a separation distance between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm; and   a switch configured to activate the laser energy source.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy pathway further comprises an optical fiber connected to the laser energy source. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first arm comprises a reflector within the energy pathway to direct the therapeutic laser energy from the energy pathway to the layers of tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the second arm further comprises a reflective surface positioned to reflect any of the therapeutic laser energy that travels through the tissue layers back into the tissue layers. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the distal end of the first arm is static; and   the distal end of the second arm is motile.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the first arm and the second arm, and wherein 
 the laser energy source is positioned within the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the first arm and the second arm and housing the actuator and the switch; 
 a cable connected between the switch and the laser energy source to transmit control instructions from the switch to the laser energy source, wherein the laser energy source is positioned external to the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, upon actuation of the actuator, the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm apply pressure to the layers of tissue. 
     
     
         9 . A device for laser septal fusion comprising
 a first arm with a distal end configured for insertion into a first nostril of a patient;   a second arm with a distal end configured for insertion into a second nostril of a patient, wherein the distal end of the second arm is disposed opposite the distal end of the first arm;   a laser energy source that generates therapeutic laser energy;   an energy pathway that transmits the therapeutic laser energy from the laser energy source to the distal end of the first arm to deliver the therapeutic laser energy to septal tissue between the nostrils of the patient;   an actuator configured to decrease a separation distance between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm; and   a switch configured to activate the laser energy source.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the energy pathway further comprises an optical fiber connected to the laser energy source. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the first arm comprises a reflector within the energy pathway to direct the therapeutic laser energy from the energy pathway to the layers of tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the second arm further comprises a reflective surface positioned to reflect any of the therapeutic laser energy that travels through the tissue layers back into the tissue layers. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein
 the distal end of the first arm is static; and   the distal end of the second arm is motile.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the first arm and the second arm, and wherein 
 the laser energy source is positioned within the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the first arm and the second arm and housing the actuator and the switch; 
 a cable connected between the switch and the laser energy source to transmit control instructions from the switch to the laser energy source, wherein the laser energy source is positioned external to the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein, upon actuation of the actuator, the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm apply pressure to the layers of tissue. 
     
     
         17 . A device for endoscopic laser tissue fusion comprising
 a endoscopic tube;   a first jaw positioned at a distal end of the endoscopic tube;   a second jaw positioned at the distal end of the endoscopic tube and disposed opposite the first jaw;   a laser energy source that generates therapeutic laser energy;   an energy pathway that transmits the therapeutic laser energy from the laser energy source to the first jaw to deliver the therapeutic laser energy to layers of tissue of a patient positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw;   an actuator configured to decrease a separation distance between a distal end of the first jaw and a distal end of the second jaw; and   a switch configured to activate the laser energy source.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the energy pathway further comprises an optical fiber connected to the laser energy source. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein a distal end of the first jaw comprises a reflector within the energy pathway to direct the therapeutic laser energy from the energy pathway to the layers of tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein a distal end of the second jaw further comprises a reflective surface positioned to reflect any of the therapeutic laser energy that travels through the tissue layers back into the tissue layers. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein
 the first jaw is static; and   the second jaw is motile.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  further comprising
 a tension cable connected at a first end to the actuator and at a second end to the second jaw and which is placed under tension upon actuation of the actuator; and wherein 
 the second jaw further comprises a pivot structure fixed with respect to the endoscopic tube and about which the second jaw rotates when the tension cable is placed under tension to decrease the separation distance between the first jaw and the second jaw. 
 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the endoscopic tube, and wherein 
 the laser energy source is positioned within the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 17  further comprising
 a handle portion connected to the endoscopic tube and housing the actuator and the switch; 
 a cable connected between the switch and the laser energy source to transmit control instructions from the actuator to the laser energy source, wherein the laser energy source is positioned external to the handle portion. 
 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein, upon actuation of the actuator, the distal ends of the first jaw and the second jaw apply pressure to the layers of tissue.