Cooled laser fiber for improved thermal therapy

1. An integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue, the integrated apparatus comprising:

a housing having a distal end;

a coupling assembly coupled to the housing opposite the distal end, the coupling assembly comprising a first fluid access port and a second fluid access port, the first fluid access port in fluid communication with a first annulus and the second fluid access port in fluid communication with a second annulus, the coupling assembly comprising an opening for introducing an energy delivery component; and

a tubular structure located within the housing forming the first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing, the tubular structure configured to form the second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component when the energy delivery component is introduced, the first annulus and the second annulus in fluid communication with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing;

wherein the housing includes a fluid pathway located proximate to the distal end, the fluid pathway providing communication between a region exterior to the housing and hollow space that incorporates the first annulus and the second annulus and being selectively opened and closed via translation of the energy delivery component.

2. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integrated apparatus is configured to transfer a heat transfer fluid through the first annulus and the second annulus.

3. The integrated apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is to flow in a first direction through the first annulus and to flow in a second direction, opposite the first direction, through the second annulus.

4. The integrated apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first direction is toward the distal end and wherein the second direction is away from the distal end.

5. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is flexible.

6. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is substantially transparent to a range of radiation wavelengths.

7. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is radio opaque.

8. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises a polymer material.

9. The integrated apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the polymer material is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, nylon, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyether sulphone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and combinations thereof.

10. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery component terminates at a diffusing tip proximate to the distal end of the housing.

11. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a region of light scattering particles located proximate to the distal end of the housing.

12. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an external coating.

13. The integrated apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the external coating comprises a non-stick coating.

14. The integrated apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the external coating comprises a fluorinated polymer.

15. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first annulus and the second annulus have a respective first and second cross-sectional area proximate to the distal end and a respective third and fourth cross-sectional area away from the distal end wherein the third and fourth cross-sectional areas are larger than the first and second cross-sectional areas, respectively.

16. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly comprises a seal to provide a single fluid pathway from the first fluid access port, through the first annulus and the second annulus, to the second fluid access port.

17. The integrated apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spacers in at least one of the first annulus and the second annulus.

18. An energy delivery system comprising:

an energy source;

a heat transfer fluid source; and

an integrated apparatus comprising:

a housing having a distal end;

a coupling assembly coupled to the housing opposite the distal end, the coupling assembly comprising a first fluid access port and a second fluid access port, the first fluid access port in fluid communication with a first annulus and the second fluid access port in fluid communication with a second annulus, the coupling assembly comprising an opening for introducing an energy delivery component; and

a tubular structure located within the housing forming the first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing, the tubular structure configured to form the second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component when the energy delivery component is introduced, the first annulus and the second annulus in fluid communication with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing;

wherein the housing includes a fluid pathway located proximate to the distal end, the fluid pathway providing communication between a region exterior to the housing and hollow space that incorporates the first annulus and the second annulus and being selectively opened and closed via translation of the energy delivery component.

19. The energy delivery system of claim 18 , wherein the integrated apparatus is configured to receive a heat transfer fluid to flow through the first annulus and the second annulus.

20. The energy delivery system of claim 19 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is to flow in a first direction through the first annulus and to flow in an opposite direction through the second annulus.

21. A method of delivering energy to a tissue, the method comprising:

locating an integrated apparatus proximate to the tissue, the integrated apparatus comprising:

a housing having a distal end;

a coupling assembly coupled to the housing opposite the distal end, the coupling assembly comprising a first fluid access port and a second fluid access port, the first fluid access port in fluid communication with a first annulus and the second fluid access port in fluid communication with a second annulus, the coupling assembly comprising an opening for introducing an energy delivery component; and

a tubular structure located within the housing forming the first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing, the tubular structure configured to form the second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component when the energy delivery component is introduced, the first annulus and the second annulus in fluid communication with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing;

wherein the housing includes a fluid pathway located proximate to the distal end, the fluid pathway providing communication between a region exterior to the housing and hollow space that incorporates the first annulus and the second annulus and being selectively opened and closed via translation of the energy delivery component;

providing transfer fluid via the first annulus and the second annulus to exchange heat with the energy delivery component; and

providing energy to the tissue via the energy delivery component.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising inserting the energy delivery component into the integrated apparatus prior to locating the integrated apparatus proximate to the tissue.