Fiberoptic delivery system and method of use

Abstract

A hand held device having an optical fiber with a radiation emitter carried at a free end, the optical fiber being attached to a handle that includes a knob which allows movement of a flexible tubular sleeve from a position covering the fiber and emitter to a position exposing the emitter and a length of fiber adjacent to it, the sleeve also having a sharp metal cleat extending from its end, the cleat being an end of a length of wire which passes through a separate channel of the sleeve to the knob without being attached to the sleeve. An application of this device is for inserting the emitter into a mass of material in order to irradiate the material from within.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A hand held fiber optic delivery system, comprising: a handle,   a flexible elongated tube carried by the handle in a manner to be slid in and out thereof for a distance along the length of the tube, said tube having a free end extending a distance from the handle,   a knob carried by the handle and attached to said tube therein in a manner to allow said tube to be slid in and out of the handle along the length of the tube,   a length of optical fiber positioned within said tube and handle, said optical fiber being restrained against movement along its length by attachment to the handle, and   a length of wire extending along the length of said tube, said wire being attached to said knob and extending a distance away from said free tube end, whereby said wire and tube are moved together along their lengths by movement of the knob with respect to the handle.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein said wire is of an uniform diameter along its length within the tube and remains unattached to said tube, thereby allowing the wire to slide along its length with respect to the tube when the tube is bent. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2 wherein the tube includes a first passage extending along its length in which the optical fiber is carried and a second passage extending parallel to said first passage in which the wire is carried, said second passage having a diameter no more than twice that of said wire. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3 wherein the tube is made of a plastic material and the wire is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 which additionally comprises measurement marks periodically spaced apart on an outside of the tube along its length adjacent said free end with indicia of a distance of the marks from said free end of the tube. 
     
     
       6. A method of inserting an end of an optical fiber into biological tissue through a passage of a body, comprising the steps of: inserting an endoscope into said passage and positioning a far end thereof adjacent a surface of the tissue into which the optical fiber end is desired to be inserted,   feeding through the endoscope an end of a flexible tube containing an optical fiber by manipulation of a handle to which the tube and fiber are attached,   piercing the surface of the tissue by first urging thereinto a tip of a wire that extends along the length of the tube end and beyond its said one end,   inserting the tube and optical fiber a desired distance within the tissue as determined by observing measurement markings along a length of the tube on its outside surface, and   thereafter withdrawing the tube from the tissue while holding the optical fiber against such withdrawal, whereby the optical fiber end is positioned within the tissue for treatment thereof.   
     
     
       7. A hand held fiber optic delivery system, comprising: a handle,   a flexible elongated tube carried by the handle in a manner to be slid in and out thereof for a distance along the length of the tube, said tube having a free end extending a distance from the handle,   a knob carried by the handle and attached to said tube therein in a manner to allow said tube to be slid in and out of the handle along the length of the tube,   a length of optical fiber positioned within said tube and handle, said optical fiber being restrained against movement along its length by a attachment to the handle,   a length of wire extending along the length of said tube, said wire being attached to said knob and extending a distance away from said free tube end, whereby said wire and tube are moved together along their lengths by movement of the knob with respect to the handle, and   measurement marks periodically spaced apart on an outside of the tube along its length adjacent said free end with indicia of a distance of the marks from said free end of the tube.   
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7 wherein said wire is of a uniform diameter along its length within the tube and remains unattached to said tube, thereby allowing the wire to slide along its length with respect to the tube when the tube is bent. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8 wherein the tube includes a first passage extending along its length in which the optical fiber is carried and a second passage extending parallel to said first passage in which the wire is carried, said second passage having a diameter no more than twice that of said wire. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9 wherein the tube is made of a plastic material and the wire is made of a metallic material. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  A method of inserting a radiation emitting end of an optical fiber system into biological tissue through a passage of a body, comprising: inserting an endoscope into the passage and positioning a far end thereof adjacent a surface of the tissue into which the radiation emitting end is desired to be inserted;   feeding the radiation emitting end through the endoscope by manipulation of the optical fiber system;   piercing the surface of the tissue using a tip of the optical fiber system and urging the radiation emitting end of the optical fiber system into the tissue;   positioning the radiation emitting end a desired distance within the tissue as determined by observing a measurement marking along a length of the optical fiber system on an outside surface thereof, whereby the radiation emitting end is positioned within the tissue; and   energizing a radiation source connected to the optical fiber system to provide radiation through the radiation emitting end to the tissue..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the optical fiber system further comprises an optical fiber and a flexible sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the radiation emitting end of the optical fiber system comprises a diffusing tip..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the diffusing tip is substantially cylindrical and is adapted to emit radiation with a substantially uniform intensity alone a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the radiation source comprises a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The method according to claim 13 wherein   
     
     
        the radiation source comprises a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.17.  The method according to claim 12 wherein the optical fiber system includes a sharp piercing point..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the endoscope is tilted with respect to the passage prior to piercing the surface of the tissue to increase an angle of incidence of the sleeve with respect to the surface of the tissue..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The method according to claim 12 wherein said sleeve is urged into the tissue until a selected measurement marking is positioned adjacent the surface of the tissue..Iaddend..Iadd.20. A method of inserting a diffusing tip, which is positioned at an end of an optical fiber, into a prostate gland through a urethra for the purpose of treating benign prostate hyperplasia, comprising: inserting an endoscope into the urethra and positioning a far end thereof adjacent a surface of the prostate gland;   feeding the diffusing tip through the endoscope by manipulation of the optical fiber;   piercing the surface of the prostate gland and urging the diffusing tip into the prostate gland;   positioning the optical fiber and the diffusing tip a desired distance within the prostate gland as determined by observing a measurement marking along an outer surface of a length of a flexible sleeve positioned around at least a portion of the optical fiber, whereby the diffusing tip is positioned within the prostate gland; and   energizing a radiation source connected to the optical fiber to provide radiation through the diffusing tip to tissue of the prostate   
     
     
        gland..Iaddend..Iadd.21.  The method according to claim 20 wherein the diffusing tip is substantially cylindrical and is adapted to emit radiation with a substantially uniform intensity alone a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the radiation source comprises a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The method according to claim 20 wherein the endoscope is tilted with respect to the urethra prior to piercing the prostate gland to increase an angle of incidence of the sleeve with respect to the surface of the prostate gland..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The method according to claim 20 wherein the sleeve is urged into the tissue of the prostate gland until a selected measurement marking is positioned adjacent the surface of the prostate gland..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The method according to claim 20 wherein the optical fiber and the sleeve are affixed to each other to prevent significant relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A method of inserting an end of an optical fiber into tissue of the prostate gland through a urethral passage of a human body for the purpose of treating benign prostate hyperplasia, comprising: inserting an endoscope into the passage and positioning a far end thereof adjacent a surface of the tissue into which the optical fiber end is desired to be inserted;   feeding a sleeve through the endoscope by manipulation of the sleeve wherein at least a portion the optical fiber is enclosed in the sleeve;   piercing the surface of the tissue by urging thereinto a tip of the sleeve, wherein the tip extends beyond the optical fiber end;   positioning the sleeve and the optical fiber a desired distance within the tissue as determined by observing a measurement marking along a length of the sleeve on an outside surface thereof, whereby the optical fiber end is positioned within the tissue; and   energizing a radiation source connected to the optical fiber to provide   
     
     
        radiation through the optical fiber to the tissue..Iaddend..Iadd.27.  The method according to claim 26 wherein the radiation is emitted from the optical fiber end in a substantially cylindrical pattern therearound and with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the radiation source comprises a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The method according to claim 26 wherein the sleeve includes a sharp piercing point..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the endoscope is tilted with respect to the passage prior to piercing the surface of the tissue to increase an angle of incidence of the sleeve with respect to the surface of the tissue..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The method according to claim 26 wherein the radiation source comprises a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The method according to claim 26 wherein the sleeve is urged into the tissue until a selected measurement marking is positioned adjacent the surface of the tissue being pierced..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The method according to claim 26 wherein the sleeve is flexible and the optical fiber is affixed to the sleeve to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the optical 
     
     
        fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.34.  A hand-held, fiber optic delivery system for use with an endoscope, comprising: a flexible elongated plastic sleeve adapted to be carried by the endoscope in a manner to be slid in and out of the endoscope and having a free end extending a distance from the endoscope;   a length of optical fiber positioned within said sleeve; and   measurement marks periodically spaced apart on an outside surface of said sleeve along the free end thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.35. The system according to claim 34, further comprising a radiation emitter at a distal end of said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The system according to claim 35 wherein said radiation emitter comprises a diffusing tip..Iaddend..Iadd.37. The system according to claim 36 wherein said diffusing tip emits radiation with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.38. The system according to claim 34, further comprising a radiation source connected to said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.39. The system according to claim 38 wherein said radiation source is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The system according to claim 34 wherein said measurement marks are indicative of a distance therefrom to the free end of said sleeve..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The system according to claim 34 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said sleeve   
     
     
        to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.42.  A hand-held, fiber optic delivery system for use with an endoscope, comprising: a flexible elongated plastic sleeve adapted to be carried by the endoscope in a manner to be slid in and out of the endoscope and having a free end extending a distance from the endoscope;   a length of optical fiber positioned within said sleeve; and   means observable on said sleeve for indicating a distance between said means and the free end of said sleeve..Iaddend..Iadd.43. The system according to claim 42, further comprising a radiation source connected to said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.44. The system according to claim 43 wherein said radiation source is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.45. The system according to claim 42, further comprising means, at a distal end of said optical fiber, for emitting radiation with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.46. The system according to claim 42 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said sleeve to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.47. A hand-held, fiber optic delivery system for inserting an optical fiber into biological tissue, comprising:   an optical fiber;   an endoscope;   a flexible elongated tube covering at least a portion of said optical fiber, said tube having a distal end and being positioned in said endoscope such that the distal end of said tube may be slid in and out of said endoscope; and   measurement marks periodically spaced apart on an outside of said tube   
     
     
        along a length thereof adjacent the distal end..Iaddend..Iadd.48.  The system according to claim 47, further comprising a radiation emitter at a distal end of said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.49. The system according to claim 48 wherein said radiation emitter comprises a diffusing tip..Iaddend..Iadd.50. The system according to claim 49 wherein said diffusing tip emits radiation with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.51. The system according to claim 47, further comprising a radiation source connected to said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.52. The system according to claim 51 wherein said radiation source is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.53. The system according to claim 47 wherein said measurement marks are indicative of a distance therefrom to the distal end of said tube..Iaddend..Iadd.54. The system according to claim 47 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said tube to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.55. A hand-held, fiber optic delivery system for inserting an optical fiber into biological tissue, comprising: an optical fiber;   an endoscope;   a flexible elongated tube covering at least a portion of said optical fiber, said tube having a distal end and being positioned in said endoscope such that the distal end of said tube may be slid in and out of said endoscope; and   means observable on an outside of said tube along a length thereof adjacent the distal end for indicating a distance between said means and the distal   
     
     
        end..Iaddend..Iadd.56.  The system according to claim 55, further comprising a radiation source connected to said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.57. The system according to claim 56 wherein said radiation source is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.58. The system according to claim 55, further comprising means, at a distal end of said optical fiber, for emitting radiation with a substantially uniform intensity alone a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.59. The system according to claim 55 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said tube to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.60. An optical fiber delivery system adapted to irradiate tissue of the prostate gland, comprising: an optical fiber;   a flexible outer sleeve of plastic surrounding at least a portion of said optical fiber;   a radiation emitter located at a distal end of said optical fiber, said radiation emitter comprising a diffusing tip which emits radiation with a substantially uniform along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof;   a measurement scale along an outer surface of said sleeve, said scale including marks indicating a distance therefrom to an end of said flexible outer sleeve; and   an electromagnetic radiation source connected to said optical fiber to supply electromagnetic radiation to said radiation emitter, said electromagnetic radiation source comprising a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.61. The system according to claim 60, further comprising an endoscope, said optical fiber and said flexible outer sleeve being positioned to move within a channel of said   
     
     
        endoscope..Iaddend..Iadd.2.  The system according to claim 60 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said sleeve to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.63. An optical fiber delivery system adapted to irradiate tissue of the prostate gland, comprising: an optical fiber;   a flexible outer sleeve of plastic surrounding at least a portion of said optical fiber;   a means at a distal end of said optical fiber for emitting radiation with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof;   means along an outer surface of said sleeve for indicating a distance therefrom to an end of said flexible outer sleeve; and   means connected to said optical fiber for supplying electromagnetic radiation to said radiation emitting means..Iaddend..Iadd.64. The system according to claim 63 wherein said supplying means is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.65. The system according to claim 63 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said sleeve to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.66. An optical fiber delivery system for use with an endoscope disposed within a passage of a body for access to biological tissue, comprising:   an optical fiber having a radiation emitting end at a distal end thereof;   a sleeve of sufficient flexibility for insertion into a channel of the endoscope, said sleeve surrounding at least a portion of said optical fiber;   means at a distal end of said sleeve for piercing a surface of the tissue;   means surrounding at least a portion of said sleeve for urging the radiation emitting end and said sleeve together into the tissue a desired distance; and   means observable on said sleeve for indicating the desired   
     
     
        distance..Iaddend..Iadd.67.  The system according to claim 66 wherein the radiation emitting end of said optical fiber comprises a diffusing tip. .Iadd.68. The system according to claim 67 wherein the diffusing tip is substantially cylindrical and is adapted to emit radiation with a substantially uniform intensity along a length thereof and around an outer cylindrical surface thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.69. The system according to claim 66 wherein said piercing means includes a sharp piercing point..Iaddend..Iadd.70. The system according to claim 69 wherein, when the endoscope is tilted with respect to the passage, an angle of incidence between said sleeve and the surface of the tissue is sufficient for piercing the surface with the piercing point..Iaddend..Iadd.71. The system according to claim 66, further comprising a radiation source operably connected to a proximal end of said optical fiber..Iaddend..Iadd.72. The system according to claim 71 wherein said radiation source is a diode laser..Iaddend..Iadd.73. The system according to claim 66 wherein said indicating means includes a measurement marking on said sleeve..Iaddend..Iadd.74. The system according to claim 66 wherein said optical fiber is affixed to said sleeve to prevent relative movement therebetween..Iaddend.