METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PHOTOSELECTIVE VAPORIZATION OF THE PROSTATE, AND OTHER TISSUE
A method for photoselective vaporization of prostate tissue includes delivering laser radiation to the treatment area on the tissue, via an optical fiber for example, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and irradiance in the treatment area on the surface of the tissue sufficient because vaporization of a substantially greater volume of tissue than a volume of residual coagulated tissue caused by the laser radiation. The laser radiation is generated using a neodymium doped solid-state laser, including optics producing a second or higher harmonic output with greater than 60 watts average output power. The delivered laser radiation has a wavelength for example in a range of about 200 nm to about 650 nm, and has an average irradiance in the treatment area greater than about 10 kilowatts/cm 2 , in a spot size of at least 0.05 mm 2 .
1 . A method for vaporization of tissue, comprising:
delivering laser radiation to a treatment area on the tissue, the laser radiation having a wavelength and having an average irradiance in the treatment area sufficient to cause vaporization of vascularized tissue at a vaporization rate that is substantially higher than a rate of coagulation of surrounding tissue.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said radiation causes a region of coagulation in the vascular tissue sufficient to prevent significant bleeding.
3 . The method of claim 1 , including delivering said radiation using an optical fiber having a tip positioned near said tissue.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said radiation has a wavelength between 200 and 1000 nm.
5 . The method of claim 1 , including delivering an irrigant to the tissue during said delivering laser radiation.
6 . The method of claim 1 , including delivering an irrigant comprising water to the tissue during said delivering laser radiation, and wherein said laser radiation has a wavelength between 200 and 1000 nm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , including delivering said radiation using an optical fiber having a side firing tip positioned near said tissue.
8 . An apparatus for photoselective vaporization of tissue, comprising:
a laser producing laser radiation;
an endoscope, including an optical fiber coupled to the laser, adapted to direct laser radiation from the fiber, and a flow of irrigant to a treatment area on a surface of the tissue;
laser and optical fiber being adapted to deliver the laser radiation at a wavelength and an average irradiance in the treatment area sufficient to cause vaporization of vascular tissue at a vaporization rate that is substantially higher than a rate of coagulation of surrounding tissue.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical fiber has a side firing tip adapted to be positioned near said tissue.
10 . A method for vaporization of tissue, comprising:
generating laser radiation with an average power greater that 60 Watts;
coupling said laser radiation into an optical fiber having a tip;
positioning the tip of the optical fiber near a treatment area on vascular tissue;
delivering laser radiation to the treatment area using the optical fiber, the laser radiation having a wavelength and having average irradiance in the treatment area sufficient to cause vaporization of said vascular tissue at a vaporization rate that is substantially higher than a rate of coagulation of surrounding tissue; and
delivering an irrigant to the treatment area while delivering said laser radiation.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said radiation causes a region of coagulation in the vascular tissue sufficient to prevent significant bleeding.
12 . The method of claim 10 , including delivering said radiation using an optical fiber having a side firing tip positioned near said tissue.