Split surgical laser fiber

Abstract

A surgical laser tool ( 150 ) comprises an output member ( 162 ) that includes an output laser fiber ( 164 ), a probe tip ( 132 ), and electrical contacts ( 240 ). The probe tip is attached to a distal end ( 171 ) of the output laser fiber. Electromagnetic energy ( 102 ) transmitted through the output laser fiber is discharged through the probe tip. The electrical contacts are supported at a proximal end (169) of the output member.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical laser tool comprising an output member, the output member comprising:
 an output laser fiber configured for attachment to an extension member of a laser generating device at a proximal end of the output laser fiber;   a probe tip configured to be attached to a distal end of the output laser fiber; and   a controller configured to detect electrical feedback to determine whether the output member is properly coupled to the extension member based on the electrical feedback.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , further comprising a connector configured to attach the output laser fiber to the probe tip, wherein the controller is disposed on the connector. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to access one or more of a local memory and a remote memory, wherein the controller is configured to retrieve information from the one or more of the local memory and the remote memory, and wherein the information includes at least one of the following:
 a unique identification of the extension member;   a type of the extension member;   a power rating for the extension member;   one or more laser source settings of the laser generating device;   a range of laser energies rated for the extension member; and   an identification of a medical procedure to be performed with the extension member.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a ring-shaped support, wherein a central throughhole is coaxial with one or both of the extension laser fiber and the output laser fiber, and wherein the controller is disposed on the ring-shaped support.   
     
     
         25 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a first contact on the output laser fiber;   a second contact on the probe tip and configured to mate with the first contact, wherein the controller receives electrical feedback when the second contact mates with the first contact.   
     
     
         26 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , wherein the electrical feedback includes a voltage in an amount equal to or above a threshold. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 the laser generating device configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to a proximal end of the extension laser fiber, wherein the controller is configured to adjust settings of the laser generating device based on the electrical feedback.   
     
     
         28 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to log use of the extension member in one or more of a remote memory and a local memory. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to issue an alert when the output laser fiber and the probe tip are not properly connected, and wherein the alert includes one or more of an audible and a visual feedback to a display. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical laser tool comprising an output member, the output member comprising:
 an output laser fiber configured for attachment to a distal end of an extension laser fiber;   a probe tip configured for attachment to a distal end of the output laser fiber;   an optical coupler configured to connect the distal end of the extension laser fiber to a proximal end of the output laser fiber, the optical coupler comprising:
 a first ferrule; and 
 a second ferrule configured to connect to the second ferrule; and 
   a controller configured to determine when the first ferrule is connected to the second ferrule.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 30 , wherein the controller is configured to access one or more of a local memory and a remote memory, wherein the controller is configured to retrieve information from the one or more of the local memory and the remote memory, and wherein the information includes at least one of the following:
 a unique identification of the extension member;   a type of the extension member;   a power rating for the extension member;   one or more laser source settings of a laser generating device;   a range of laser energies rated for the extension member; and   an identification of a medical procedure to be performed with the extension member.   
     
     
         32 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a ring-shaped support, wherein a central throughhole is coaxial with one or both of the extension laser fiber and the output laser fiber, and wherein the controller is disposed on the ring-shaped support.   
     
     
         33 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 30 , wherein electrical feedback includes a voltage in an amount equal to or above a threshold. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a laser generating device configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to a proximal end of the extension laser fiber, wherein the controller is configured to adjust settings of the laser generating device based on the electrical feedback.   
     
     
         35 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 31 , wherein the controller is configured to log use of the extension member in one or more of the remote memory and the local memory. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical laser tool of  claim 30 , wherein the controller is configured to issue an alert when the output laser fiber and the probe tip are not properly connected, and wherein the alert includes one or more of an audible and a visual feedback to a display. 
     
     
         37 . A method comprising:
 attaching a proximal end of an output laser fiber to a distal end of an extension member of a laser generating device;   attaching a proximal end of a probe tip to a distal end of the output laser fiber;   receiving an electrical feedback from the probe tip; and   determining, by a controller, if the output member is properly coupled to the extension member based on the electrical feedback.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 accessing, by the controller, one or more of a local memory and a remote memory; and   retrieving, by the controller, information from the one or more of the local memory and the remote memory, and wherein the information includes at least one of the following:   a unique identification of the extension member;   a type of the extension member;   a power rating for the extension member;   one or more laser source settings of the laser generating device;   a range of laser energies rated for the extension member; and   an identification of a medical procedure to be performed with the extension member.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 determining, by the controller, that the output member is properly coupled to the extension member if the electrical feedback is greater than a threshold.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 Issuing an alert when the output laser fiber and the probe tip are not properly connected, and wherein the alert includes one or more of an audible and a visual feedback to a display.