LASER OPTICAL FIBER FOR ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL PROCEDURES HAVING A RE-COATED ELONGATED TIP WITH VISUAL BURN-BACK INDICATOR AND AN IMPROVED SELF-ALIGNING STABILITY SHEATH
A laser fiber, is modified to have a tip that has a length that is predetermined to ensure that the tip remains viable throughout a given procedure type, despite the presence of burn-back. The extended tip is defined by stripping back the jacket of the laser fiber over the pre-determined length starting at the distal end of the fiber. The stripped portion of the fiber is then dip-coated with a layer of polymeric coating such as an acrylate. A visual indicator can be printed onto the extended tip to aid in the use of the extended fiber. A self-aligning stability sheath is provided to make insertion easier in certain types of endoscopes. The laser fiber with extended tip can be pre-inserted into the sheath and sold as a pre-prepared kit for ease of use and protection of the fiber.
