METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SURFACTANT ENHANCED LASER-INDUCED VAPOR BUBBLES FOR USE IN LASER LITHOTRIPSY

    公开(公告)号:US20230190373A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-06-22

    申请号:US17922148

    申请日:2021-04-29

    IPC分类号: A61B18/26 A61B1/307

    摘要: Methods and systems for surfactant enhanced laser-induced vapor bubbles for use in laser lithotripsy. Urinary tract stone disease is a common and costly disease that effects approximately 10% of the United States population. A preferred minimally invasive method for treatment of urinary tract stones is laser lithotripsy, which involves insertion of a flexible ureteroscope through the urinary tract to the stone's location, and then transmission of infrared (IR) laser energy through a flexible optical fiber, which is in turn placed through the single working channel of the ureteroscope. The IR laser energy is used for ablation of the urinary tract stone which is then removed. In order to have a more efficient ablation, the ureteroscope is fed with a surfactant composition which is flowed into the ureter and/or kidney of the subject. The laser causes larger bubbles to form in the surfactant composition, making a robust and longer lasting bubble.