Disposable tips for laser systems and related methods

Abstract

A disposable tip may comprise a casing, a cannular portion, and a fiber. The casing may be sized and configured for attachment to a handpiece of a laser transmission system. The cannular portion may extend from the casing, and the cannular portion may have a channel therein. The fiber may be configured to deliver a laser beam to a surgical surface, and at least a portion of the fiber may be located within the channel of the cannular portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable tip, comprising:
 a casing sized and configured for attachment to a handpiece of a laser transmission system;   a cannular portion extending from the casing, the cannular portion having a channel therein; and   a fiber configured to deliver a laser beam to a surgical surface, at least a portion of the fiber located within the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable tip of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the fiber extends from an end of the cannular portion. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable tip of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector that encases a second end of the fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable tip of  claim 3 , wherein the connector is fixed within the casing and located proximate to the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable tip of  claim 4 , wherein the casing and the connector define a space therebetween, the space sized to receive a tip attachment structure of the handpiece. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable tip of  claim 3 , further comprising a housing into which the connector inserts. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable tip of  claim 6 , wherein the housing is held within the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable tip of  claim 7 , further comprising a lens located within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable tip of  claim 8 , wherein the housing accepts a ferrule on a first end of the housing and the connector on a second end of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable tip of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of the cannular portion comprises a curved channel and the at least a portion of the fiber is bent according to the shape of the curved channel. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable tip of  claim 1 , wherein the channel directionally angles the fiber. 
     
     
         12 . The disposable tip of  claim 11 , wherein the channel directionally angles the fiber at least one of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a disposable tip, the method comprising:
 positioning at least a portion of a fiber configured to deliver a laser beam to a surgical surface within a channel of a cannular portion extending from a casing sized and configured for attachment to a handpiece of a laser transmission system; and   extending a first end of the fiber from an end of the cannular portion and encasing a second end of the fiber in a connector.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising fixing the connector within the casing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising defining a space sized to receive a tip attachment structure of the handpiece between the casing and the connector. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inserting the connector into a housing;   fixing the housing within the casing; and   locating a lens within the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein positioning at least a portion of the fiber within the channel of the cannular portion comprises:
 positioning at least a portion of the fiber within a curved channel; and   bending the fiber according to the shape of the curved channel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising directionally angling the fiber with the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein directionally angling the fiber with the channel comprises directionally angling the fiber at least one of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° with the channel. 
     
     
         20 . A disposable tip, comprising:
 a casing sized and configured for attachment to a handpiece of a laser transmission system;   a cannular portion extending from the casing, the cannular portion having a curved channel therein; and   a fiber configured to deliver a laser beam to a surgical surface, at least a portion of the fiber located within the curved channel and bent according to the shape of the curved channel.