Laser device for transmyocardial revascularization procedures

A laser surgery device for performing laser myocardial revascularization procedures on a human heart comprises a hand-held body portion with a forwardly extending probe member with an enlarged head end assembly including a piercing tip. A movable fiber bundle connected to a laser source extends through the body portion and the probe member with its distal tip at the head end assembly. A control button on the body portion enables the device to move the distal tip forwardly from the head end, and selectable stop members are provided on the body portion to provide different travel distances for the optical fiber bundle during a procedure. The body portion has a rotatable nose-piece with an internal ratchet mechanism which enables the device user to rotate the probe member and its head end to a selected optimum position before commencing a procedure. The head end assembly includes an easily replaceable piercing member in combination with a concave disk having a yieldable liner for cushioning the head assembly contact with the patient's heart. The device is used with a TMR procedure wherein the epicardium is initially pierced to provide access to the myocardium for the distal tip of the fiber bundle which then emits laser pulses as it is moved through the myocardium.